Literature Review
Critical Framework for the Development of Women’s Shelters in Karachi
A contextual study
Ilsa Ahmed
ilsa@wmcreativestudio.com.pk
The prevalence of domestic abuse in Pakistan is a result of the generational cycle of the perpetuation of abuse and the rights of men to physically abuse their wives (Fikree, Razzak, Durocher, 2005). According to Tutty (1999) shelter for domestic violence survivors is divided into the following categories:
Emergency Shelters
Transitional Housing Housing
Some shelters provide specific services for women who have physical or mental disabilities (Joshi, 2017). These organizations may make these women permane nt residents within the facility much like the Bilquis Edhi Center in Northern Karachi which is part psychiatric ward and part emergency shelter for women (Pakistan: Karachi's Forgotten 'Mad Women', 2020). This structure gives rise to problems such as over crowding and sanitation. As emphasized by Lyon et al. (2008). Domestic violence shelters all over the world address very specific issues. The services offered by these shelters are as follows:
- individual advocacy
- medical treatment for immediate and long -term consequences of violence
- crisis intervention
- safety planning
These services offered by domestic violence shelters can have a significant impact on the residents during the early stages of their rehabilitation (Shostack, 2001; VanNatta, 2010). The di rector of Boulder County Safehouse, a center for crisis intervention for women, explained that the need for control includes control over the temperature of the water, the temperature of the room, and natural light. Refuzero and Verderber’s (1990) study of Los Angeles shelters and New Orleans applies a reiteration of this control in the women’s immediate surroundings explaining it as a means of coping with the absence of control. The study states that the shelters moderate unwanted elements whether they are visual or auditory and in doing so create a calm setting that is not chaotic. Furthermore, the shelters have adequate surveillance and admirable views surrounding the facilities. Through crisis intervention, a shelter is capable of providing a limited dur ation of stay in a safe haven, however, a woman may find it difficult to reconnect with ‘her space’ as a crucial part of the healing process. This could be because abused women have gone far too long without their space, here space is the personalized outl ook on the women’s immediate surroundings (Follenweider, M. J., 1993, pp. 363 -364). In situations like this, reclamation has an equal role as rehabilitation. Through their research, Silverman and Taylor (1992) seek to generalize the dialogue on housing for women by questioning the concept of shelter. The central theme of this work is the aim of changing the traditional ideas and conceptions of shelter by including ideas that are subjective and diverse. They claim that through their paper they seek to define shelter in ways that exceed the limitations of mere accommodation and start dealing with problems and issues of place involving the individual within society.
Moser and Peake (1994) note the importance of considering the specific needs of households heade d by women within cultural contexts, particularly with regards to resource availability and access. Ward and Chant (1987) highlight the existence of programs for low-income housing and construction specifically for families headed by women. Smith and Steve ns (1998) also emphasize that access to self-help housing projects should not be determined by patriarchal association. Arthurs (1996) states that a second stage shelter for women and children should be located in a residential area and have enclosed play areas for child protection. As explained by Basolo and Morlan (1993), housing activism is a way for the women to eliminate the conformation to societal norms and adopt novel ideas and concepts of space. It is crucial to make women part of the design proces s.
Marcus (1994) and Harrison (2010) highlight the connection between domestic violence, mental health, and architecture. A study by Shepley et al. (2013) suggests recommendations for designing behavioral health facilities that address both psychological and functional needs. The recommendations have been divided into two categories, one emphasizing the factors related to environmental psychology (Psychological Needs), and the other emphasizing the functional factors (Functional Needs). They were summarize d as follows:
Functional Needs
Personal Space and Density Control
Psychological Needs
Effective Communication
Sensory Considerations
Connection to the Outside
Spatial Clarity and Organization
Treatment and Care
Stress Reduction, Comfort and Hominess
Safety & Maintenance
The main areas of concern like safety and security, comfort, privacy, and control were studied. One of the conclusions drawn from the studies suggest that with a population showing signs of decline in cognitive abilities, spatial clarity and organization need to be taken into consideration. Most women in Third World cities, including Pakistan, are found employed in the informal employment sector such as running small-scale businesses and producing petty commodit ies from home (Kusow, 1993; Chatterjee, 2021). According to a UN Women report, Home Based Workers in Pakistan contribute 65% to the economy (UN Women, 2016).