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Enatta Foundation United Kingdom Outreach

ENATTA FOUNDATION UK OUTREACH: THE SECRET BATTLES OF UNSEEN WOMEN

The streets have many unseen women and these women are not without their hidden battles… 

 

The daily experiences of homeless women often go unnoticed, yet their realities reveal an urgent need for change in how society perceives and responds to homelessness. Beyond the immediate challenge of lacking shelter, these women endure layers of vulnerability that shape every aspect of their lives. To fully appreciate the depth of this issue, it is important to examine not only the visible hardships but also the silent battles that remain unspoken.

 

Sexual Violence and Harassment

One of the most pressing concerns facing homeless women is sexual violence and harassment. Women without stable housing are disproportionately exposed to predatory behaviour and violence, often because they are left without the protective structures that many take for granted. For some, the absence of safe shelter leads to situations where they are forced to exchange intimacy for a place to sleep, which ultimately blurs the line between survival and exploitation. The trauma that follows such experiences leaves long-lasting scars, manifesting in anxiety, depression, and in some cases, unwanted pregnancies. The lack of access to adequate support services further compounds these struggles, leaving victims with few avenues for recovery.

 

Management of Health and Hygiene

The simple act of maintaining dignity through personal care becomes nearly impossible when access to showers, clean clothing, and sanitary products is restricted. Women who are unable to manage their menstrual health effectively often suffer not only from recurring infections but also from feelings of shame and isolation. Public health conversations rarely consider the particular needs of women in these circumstances, even though poor hygiene and untreated health concerns can create cycles of physical and psychological distress. Furthermore, the absence of grooming resources, which many view as minor, leads to additional stigma. Homeless women are often perceived as “unclean,” which diminishes their chances of employment and intensifies their exclusion from society.

 

Mental Illness

Mental illness is another reality that is closely tied to homelessness. Studies consistently show that women experiencing homelessness are more likely to face mental health challenges than their peers with stable housing. Living without security or belonging breeds hopelessness, and many turn to alcohol or drug use as a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, this only deepens the cycle of poor mental and physical wellbeing. Without consistent medical care, these conditions worsen and reduce the possibility of reintegration into society.

 

Lack of Education and Access to Skill Development

The lack of education and limited access to skill development also keep many homeless women trapped in poverty. Young women who grow up in unstable living conditions often miss out on consistent schooling, while older women face barriers in pursuing adult education or vocational training. This lack of opportunity prevents them from breaking the cycle of homelessness, as they remain excluded from the formal labour market. The absence of stable income means that even when temporary shelter is found, maintaining it is a constant struggle.

 

Poor Social Networks

Homelessness also erodes social networks. Women who lose their homes frequently lose contact with friends and family members. This leaves them without the support systems that could otherwise provide emotional or material assistance. The absence of these relationships creates a profound sense of invisibility. With limited platforms to voice their experiences, homeless women often feel silenced, and their realities go unacknowledged by the broader community.

 

The complexity of homelessness among women cannot be reduced to a single factor. It is shaped by intertwined issues of safety, health, education and economic survival. To address this effectively, policymakers and community leaders must adopt inclusive approaches that consider these overlapping challenges. Providing safe shelters is only a starting point. Comprehensive strategies must also include accessible healthcare, mental health services, education and skill training, and pathways to sustainable employment. 

 

Enatta Foundation is joining the narrative of change by taking to the streets of the United Kingdom on September 5th, alongside Charity Begins At Home Foundation, to give back to these homeless women and women in phases of emotional and mental transitions from traumatic experiences. We believe that homeless women are not invisible because they lack presence, but because society has chosen not to see them. But we see them and we choose to walk with them through their journeys. We must all commit to listening to these women, acknowledging their realities and creating systems that offer them genuine opportunities for recovery and stability.

 

Change is possible, for it is only when the most vulnerable among us are supported that a society can truly claim to be just.