Women's Shelter Movement South Africa

About the Women's Shelter Movement

The Western Cape Women's Shelter Movement (WSM) was founded in 2009 and is affiliated with the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSM). The WSM provides a platform for its 17 member shelter organisations to collaborate, share knowledge and expertise, build their capacity, and collectively advocate for better legislation, policy, funding, and standards for GBV shelter services across South Africa.

WSM's vision is to build a strong movement of shelter organisations that enable inclusive, survivor-centred, and rights-based sheltering services to address the impact of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Their mission emphasises building relationships between member organisations, enabling comprehensive shelter services, and engaging with local, provincial, national, and international stakeholders to advance the GBV shelter response.

Member Shelters

WSM's 17 member organisations collectively represent one of the most extensive GBV shelter networks in South Africa. Members include:

Athlone House of Strength (AHOS), Carehaven Bridgetown, Community Cohesion, Ilitha Labantu Dorothy Zihlangu Transitional House, MOSAIC Training Service and Healing Centre, New World Foundation, Nonceba Centre Trust, S-Cape, Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women & Children (Athlone), Sisters Incorporated, Siyabonga Shelter, Sizakuyenza, St Anne's Home, St Clare Sanctuary, St Mary's Home of Hope, The Safe House, and Worcester House of Hope.

Each member shelter serves specific communities across the Western Cape, from Cape Town's inner city and townships to the Boland and rural areas.

Services for Survivors

WSM itself does not provide direct counselling or accommodation — survivors should contact individual member shelters directly. However, WSM can assist survivors or social workers in identifying the most appropriate shelter placement. For the National Shelter helpline (which connects survivors to shelters across all nine provinces): 0800 001 005 (toll-free, 24 hours).

Advocacy and Capacity Building

WSM actively lobbies for: stronger laws and policies on GBVF sheltering; appropriate funding for shelter organisations from government and funders; rights-based, survivor-centred service standards; and training and capacity development for shelter staff and leadership. WSM is represented in national policy discussions through its affiliation with the National Shelter Movement.