FAQs

Everything you need to know about the Pearl and more

What is The Pearl Safe Haven?

The Pearl Safe Haven is a facility for survivors of gender-based violence in Ghana, offering on-site accommodation for up to three months followed by in-community monitoring and support.  The women will be provided medical, psychological and legal support, and life-skills and vocational training to ensure they have a successful reintegration into society.  They will be monitored and supported when they leave the centre.  

We also have a mobile application - Safe Place - offering survivor stories, resources and partical information for a wider demographic. The app can be downloaded in any country.

What is gender-based violence?

Gender based violence (GBV) was defined for the first time by the United Nations in 1993 in the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women:“Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty whether occurring in public or in private life.”
For more general information on gender-based violence, please use this link https://www.unfpa.org/gender-based-violence.

What do I do in case of an emergency?

Please seek immediate help from your nearest police station. For more on getting help see Get Help!

Who are the primary stakeholders in Ghana?

The primary agency in Ghana with responsibility for gender based violence is the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection (in particular DV Secretariat and Department of Social Welfare) as well as the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service (DOVVSU).

However, responsibility for the elimination of gender based violence in our communities belongs to all of us. It is time to take action!

Where is The Pearl Safe Haven?

The Pearl Safe Haven is located in a secure location in Greater Accra, the capital of Ghana.

Why are you a haven not a shelter?

We are using the term haven to distinguish our facility from a shelter which in Ghana refers to a short-term, emergency service.  Shelters are important and offer immediate short term housing for survivors. However, The Pearl Safe Haven has a slightly different mandate – it will provide a three month in-house programme for survivors followed by a further six months of oversight and support in the community.  

Our aim is to prepare the women for a successful reintegration into society.

Who manages The Pearl Safe Haven?

The Pearl Safe Haven is managed by a highly qualified, highly motivated team of professionals, including practicing lawyers, financial consultants, and medical and gender specialists.

For more information please Our People.

Who are your Partners?

We work in close association with relevant Ghanaian authorities, the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Department of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Protection. We rely on DOVVSU’s core competencies to identify and support the needs of these vulnerable women and Social Welfare to assist us with their reintegration.

We also work with gender advocates including WISE, Wildaf, FIDA and Obaapa Development. We are members of the Coalition for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Friends of UNFPA.

We also have a number of corporate partners. For more information please see Partners.

Who is your implementation partner?

The project implementation partner is Aladyis Foundation, (The Lady), a non-profit initiative in collaboration with Villa Monticello Hotel and the International Women's Forum, Ghana aimed at providing young women aged 18 to 25 a safe space to gain practical life skills, share aspirations and address challenges with confidence.

What steps have you taken to ensure the sustainability of the Project?

1. Highly professional private sector project management team providing pro bono professional services to the Project. These services include financial, legal, IT, and fundraising expertise.

2. Highest standards of financial management and probity.

3. Strong links with key Ghanaian agencies including DOVVSU, the Department of Social Welfare as well as partnerships with a network of NGOs also working in this space.

4. Tight planning and management of security at the premises to ensure the safety of the women.  Close collaboration with the Ghana Police Service on security matters.

5.  Strong, long-term corporate sector relationships that guarantee the financial stability of the enterprise.

6. Comprehensive remedial support for the women on entry into the facility, including medical and psychological care and legal counsel.

7.  Training and reintegration programs tailored to the specific needs of the women, delivered by experts in their fields and supported by access to finance as required. Our focus is to reintegrate survivors back into their communities.

8. Limited operational expenditure by drilling a borehole for water needs and adopting solar into our project (see About Us).

How can I download the Safe Place App?

To download the Safe Place App

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How can I support or partner?

We would be delighted to speak to you about partnership options. Please contact us at info@thepearlsafehaven.org or +233247293648

To make a financial donation to our project or support a survivor to stay at The Pearl Safe Haven ($1900 per survivor) please see Donate.

How do I volunteer?

To volunteer with the Pearl Safe Haven visit the Volunteer page

How can we connect with The Pearl?

Please contact us at info@thepearlsafehaven.org or +233247293648

Is your location known?

No, it is imperative that the location of the safe haven is kept secure.