Urban Sanctuaries for Girls: Empowering the Future Through Cultural Reverence and Resilience

Samyuktha Iyer // Karla Roberts

Urban Sanctuaries for Girls: Empowering the Future Through Cultural Reverence and Resilience

Grounded in the cultural concept of nature as a divine feminine, this project envisions safe urban sanctuaries for young girls in India, addressing and confronting systemic gender-based challenges. Despite a culture that venerates nature as a powerful feminine force, young girls in India often face severe adversities such as female infanticide, child marriage, child labor, and sex slavery.

Establishing a new paradigm by returning to native, traditional practices that centered on and respected womanhood, these centers will nurture the girls' potential through empowerment, equity, and sustainability

The goal is to foster an environment where young girls can overcome societal burdens, thrive, and become resilient. 

Welcome to Abhaya Nivas:  A Fearless Dwelling for Vulnerable Girls