The story of Hasrun Idrisi

In early spring 2008 Hasrun Idrisi was lit on fire and almost burnt to death.

Who perpetrated this violent and gruesome act? Her husband and in-laws.
The cause? Dowry-related domestic violence.

Unfortunately, this type of gender-based violence is prevalent in Nepal.

CARE Nepal helps fund a shelter for women called SAATHI to address the issue of gender-based violence and provide support for women, like Hasrun, who have been subject to it.

The scars that now cover Hasrun’s entire body are still very sensitive. Her wounds are in the process of healing but serve as a daily reminder of the violence she has suffered. Staff at the SAATHI shelter continue to take Hasrun to the hospital for wound dressings once every 3 days to avoid infection.

Hasrun, along with her 10 month old baby and her sister, who is helping look after the child during Hasrun’s recovery, are all currently residing at the shelter. Due to the severity of her injuries, she will live there for at least a year.

SAATHI’s goal is to ensure that the women are able to support themselves before leaving the shelter. Therefore, although Hasrun is still recovering from her near death experience, she must begin to think about how she and her child will survive once her time at SAATHI comes to an end.

SAATHI has enrolled her in a six months intensive sewing class and will also provide Hasrun with seed money so that she can start up her own small enterprise. The goal is to give all of the women survivors the necessary skills and means to become completely economically independent and self-sufficient.

Without the help and support of the shelter, Hasrun and her child would have had no where to turn and no help working towards a brighter future.

Show your support for the millions of women like Hasrun, who suffer gender-based violence every day.

CARE is also fighting sexual violence against women in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Read more.

Gender-based violence around the world - get the facts.