About
In this powerful article, Elaine Sanches from the Hultsfred Vimmerby Women’s Shelter in rural southern Sweden shares the everyday realities, challenges, and unwavering feminist commitment of a grassroots shelter that has supported women and children escaping violence for nearly four decades. Amid growing bureaucratic and financial pressures, the piece sheds light on the unique obstacles faced by small shelters in remote areas—and the collective strength that sustains them. From licensing struggles to community outreach, this article illustrates how feminist solidarity, locally rooted yet globally connected, remains a lifeline for women and children seeking to live free from violence and isolation.
Written by
Elaine Sanches, Hultsfred Vimmerby Women’s Shelter1
Photo provided by Hultsfred Vimmerby Women’s Shelter
In the quiet rural landscapes of southern Sweden, the Hultsfred Vimmerby Women’s Shelter has quietly but steadfastly upheld a vital mission for nearly 37 years: offering refuge, support, and solidarity to women and children escaping violence. Despite limited resources, a single paid employee, and a small yet dedicated group of volunteers and board members, our shelter embodies the power of grassroots feminist action, rooted in the unwavering belief that every woman and child deserves to live free from violence.
Challenges in a Changing Landscape
Like many women’s shelters in Sweden and across Europe, we face growing challenges. Financial uncertainty looms large as funding sources become scarcer and more competitive. Bureaucratic demands increase, especially with the introduction of new regulations by the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO), which require costly licenses to operate protected accommodations. In 2024, we applied for this mandatory license, paying a 30,000 SEK (over 2,700 EUR) application fee—a substantial burden for our small organisation, which struggles to cover basic yearly expenses.
The necessity of this licence reflects a broader societal commitment to ensuring safe, legally recognised spaces for women and children escaping abuse. However, it also illustrates the difficult balancing act grassroots organisations like ours must perform—meeting strict governmental requirements while maintaining the flexibility and community-based approach that makes our support unique and effective.
A Feminist Commitment to Solidarity and Inclusion
Our work is deeply rooted in feminist solidarity, both within our local community and through connections with national and international allies. As the sole employee, I coordinate a wide range of responsibilities, including administration, outreach, delivering free lectures on gender-based violence, and facilitating access to legal advice.
This multifaceted role is challenging but rewarding. It reflects the reality of many small shelters operating outside major urban centres, where resources are limited but the need for support is no less urgent. Our volunteers, often referred to as “sisters”, are essential in extending our reach, providing peer support, and helping create safe environments where women and children feel heard and valued.
The Reality for Women in Rural Sweden
Violence against women in rural areas carries particular complexities. Isolation, limited access to specialised services, and community stigma often create additional barriers for women seeking help. Many women do not leave their abusers unless they can bring their children to safety, making the availability of protected accommodation crucial.
Our shelter’s approach goes beyond providing a roof; we foster empowerment through support groups, educational workshops, and collaboration with schools and local authorities. These efforts aim to raise awareness, break cycles of violence, and build resilience in the community.
Building Networks and Sharing Knowledge
Despite our small size, we actively engage with feminist networks across Sweden and internationally. These connections are vital for sharing promising practices, advocating for policy changes, and ensuring that even the smallest shelters have a voice in shaping the future of violence prevention.
Between 2022 and 2024, I also served as Treasurer on the national board of Roks, Sweden’s National Organisation for Women’s Shelters, which gave me broader insight into the systemic challenges shelters face. This experience has strengthened my resolve to ensure our shelter continues to serve those in need, regardless of geographical or financial constraints.
Looking Forward
Our commitment is unwavering. The journey is far from easy, but through collective action, grassroots mobilisation, and feminist solidarity, we continue to create safe spaces where women and children can heal and reclaim their lives.
Whether or not our licence application is approved, our work will persist—driven by the core belief that no woman should ever be left without protection, no matter how remote or underfunded the organisation standing with her may be.
- Elaine Sanches is the sole employee of Hultsfred Vimmerby Women’s Shelter, a small nonprofit organisation in rural Sweden. She manages all aspects of the shelter’s operations, including administration, outreach, training, and support services for women and children affected by violence. Elaine also coordinates access to legal advice and delivers educational lectures on gender-based violence. Between 2022 and 2024, she served as Treasurer on the national board of Roks, Sweden’s National Organisation for Women’s Shelters. ↩︎
Featured image by Hultsfred Vimmerby Women’s Shelter
