Building Stronger Shelter Systems Across Africa: Partnerships, Policy and Sustainable Investment
A gathering of Africa's Shelter Community. Two days to Connect experience, Strengthen protection and turn shared priorities into action.
Ensuring safety, safeguarding and the human rights of women and girls.
Upholding every survivor’s worth, choices and right to compassionate, respectful care.
Building partnerships and collective action to strengthen shelter systems across Africa.
Advancing equality, accountability and access to justice for survivors.
Supporting healing, resilience and opportunities for survivors to rebuild their lives.
Shelters are more than a place of refuge. They are a pathway to safety, healing, justice and renewed possibility.
The First Africa Conference on Women’s Shelters brings together practitioners, governments, survivor leaders, civil society, researchers and investment partners to strengthen survivor-centred shelter systems across Africa. Convened during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the conference answers the call of African delegates at the 2025 World Conference of Women’s Shelters in Sydney for a sustained African platform.
It is my great pleasure, on behalf of the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), to warmly welcome you to the First African Conference on Women’s Shelters (1ACWS) in Nairobi, Kenya.
This inaugural conference marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen women's shelter systems and advance survivor-centred responses to gender-based violence across Africa. Inspired by the call of African delegates at the Fifth World Conference on Women’s Shelters in Sydney, Australia, this gathering provides an important platform for continental collaboration, learning and collective action.
Under the theme, “Building Stronger Shelter Systems Across Africa: Partnerships, Policy and Sustainable Investment,” we seek to advance practical conversations on stronger partnerships, responsive policies and sustainable investment in shelter services.
Women’s shelters are more than places of refuge; they are spaces of safety, healing, restoration and renewed possibilities. Strengthening them requires collective commitment, political will and sustained investment. I therefore see this as a defining moment for our continent and the shelter space.
We are honoured to convene this conference through the National Shelters Network (NSN) Kenya, in partnership with the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), and in collaboration with the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action.
I sincerely appreciate our partners, delegates, speakers, planning committees and all those whose commitment has made this gathering possible. I encourage us to engage openly, share experiences and leave with practical solutions towards stronger and more sustainable shelter systems across our continent.
Welcome to Nairobi and to the First African Conference on Women’s Shelters. I wish you fruitful deliberations.
A look inside the official document: the purpose of the conference and the outcomes delegates will work toward over the two days in Nairobi.
The conference is built on one purpose: no woman should be turned away from safety because her country lacks a shelter system that works. Over two days, delegates will move from shared concern to shared commitments by defining what quality shelter services look like and what each stakeholder will do to deliver them.
A common vision and agreed standards for women's shelters in Africa
Clear commitments on policy recognition and funding for shelter services
Stronger collaboration between shelters, governments and survivor leaders
A plan of action that carries the work forward after the conference ends
PDF · Official 2026 edition (16-09) · Free to download and share with partners, donors and your network.
Download Concept NoteTwo days of high-level discussions, interactive sessions and collaborative workshops designed to advance women's shelter systems across Africa.
Bringing 2–30 colleagues? Register everyone in one order and pay once.
GROUP REGISTRATIONSecure your place and be part of Africa's leading platform for stronger shelter systems.
Valid through 13 November 2026
Register early and lock in the lowest rate.
Valid through 13 November 2026
Register early and lock in the lowest rate.
Both Local & International
Last chance to secure your spot at the conference.
We invite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and survivor leaders to submit abstracts for presentation at the conference. Share your insights and contribute to building stronger shelter systems across Africa.
Download Abstract Submission GuideBuilding Stronger Shelter Systems Across Africa: Partnerships, Policy and Sustainable Investment
Strengthening Women's Shelter Systems and Standards Across Africa
Enhancing Survivor-Centred and Trauma-Informed Care in Women's Shelters
The Impact of Collaboration among actors: Government, Private Sector and Civil Society to Improve Shelter Service Delivery
Advancing Policy Recognition and Sustainable Investment in Women's Shelter Infrastructure
Strengthening Workforce Capacity and Institutional Resilience of Women's Shelters in Africa
Strengthening inclusion and diversity rights in access to shelters in Africa
Centering Survivor Voice, Agency and Lived Experience in Shaping Shelter Systems
Accommodation Rates on Bed and Breakfast
These rates have already been specially negotiated for delegates attending the 1st Africa Conference on Women's Shelters (1ACWS). When booking, kindly specify that you are boarding on the basis of attending the 1ACWS conference so the reserved delegate rate can be applied.
Single occupancy
Private bathroom
Free Wi-Fi
Bed & Breakfast
Up to 2 guests
Private bathroom
Free Wi-Fi
Bed & Breakfast
Have a question, want to partner, or need more information? We'd love to hear from you.