SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND RESOURCE ALLIANCE (SAWERA)

 

The South Asian Women’s Empowerment and Resource Alliance (SAWERA) is dedicated to serving women and children in abusive relationships and offers culturally sensitive services to remove the stigma around domestic violence. SAWERA provides advocacy, empowerment, and solidarity in a safe environment. The South Asian Women’s Empowerment and Resource Alliance’s twin goals are to provide direct services to victims and to conduct outreach and education in South Asian communities. Currently, SAWERA serves women from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Tibet, and Fiji.

 

The South Asian Women’s Empowerment and Resource Alliance was founded in 1997 by members of the Oregon South Asian community to help South Asian women who were experiencing domestic violence. The founders discovered that language barriers, cultural misconceptions and immigration concerns prevented these women from seeking help. Pronounced “sah-way-reh,” the name also translates to “morning” in at least two South Asian languages. Morning symbolizes a new beginning and the dawn of a new era for South Asian women.

 

Find out more about the South Asian Women’s Empowerment and Resource Alliance: