South Asian women in the United States are especially vulnerable to violence due to their cultural socialization and recent immigration. Additionally, the loss of traditional family support, lack of proficiency in English, as well as unfamiliarity with the laws and services of their adopted country keep many South Asian women captive in their abusive situations.

Services:

• Outreach
• Support Groups
• Sexual Assault Support Services
• Ashiana - Ashiana (meaning "nest" in Urdu) is a rent-free, temporary residential facility for South Asian women and their children who are displaced by violence in the family. Although the residence is located in New Jersey, women from all around the country, who are in crises, request space in Ashiana. Ashiana can accommodate up to nine residents with an additional bed for emergency situations.
• Counseling
• Legal Advocacy
• Training and Education

Founded in 1985, Manavi was the first organization in the United States to specifically address the unmet needs of South Asian women affected by violence. Manavi’s objective is to reach out to these women and be an essential resource for them during their time of crisis.

Manavi provides a unique blend of culturally specific support services and intervention methods through Western advocacy practices and linguistically traditional techniques.

With a mission to end all forms of violence against women, Manavi began as an awareness campaign on issues concerning South Asian women; today it continues to centralize women’s needs and interests in all its organizational decisions and service provisions.

Manavi adheres to the empowerment model of advocacy, leading to a work philosophy of social change and shared struggle for liberation with women who have suffered through violence.

Manavi continues to be a pioneer in advancing the South Asian women’s movement by adapting to and developing new strategies and service provisions to the changing needs of our women. Since its inception several South Asian organizations with similar interests have also formed.

As a direct service provider, social change agent and diversity trainer in the mainstream movement to end violence against women, Manavi simultaneously addresses both the immediate needs of women facing abuse and the long-term vision of establishing peaceful communities free from gender-based violence.

Event Type	Social Justice
Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Gender-Specific	Female Only
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Accepts Donations of Goods Clothing / Supplies / Furniture Emergency Shelter / Housing / Warming Center Financial Assistance / Referrals Financial Counseling / Literacy Homeless Prevention Housing / Shelter Supportive Housing Community Community Education Community Service Volunteer Opportunities Education Adult Education / Literacy Educational Services Tutoring / Enrichment Employment / Training Independent Living Skill Program Life Skills Training Preparing for Adulthood Family & Support Services Caregiving Family Support Parenting & Caregiving Referral Services Legal / Advocacy Advocacy (Legal) Immigration Services Legal Assistance Spiritual / Cultural Cultural Group
Health Services	Crisis / Safety Bullying Child Abuse / Neglect Crisis / Safety / Prevention Domestic Violence Emergency Preparedness Missing Youth Trafficking
Language Spoken	Urdu

Last Updated: 03/18/21