Fleeing Alice Springs, she left a safety net of family with next to nothing to her name.

When she arrived in Katherine, she had no home, no work, and no support.

To this day, Mrs Coulthard is still navigating the complicated court system to apply for a domestic violence order to keep her husband away from her home.

"I sleep with one eye open, because there is no telling when he will come banging at doors and windows frightening me and my children."

Domestic violence, homelessness, financial hardship and hopelessness is a reality for women across Australia.

But Mrs Coulthard paints a particularly bad picture in Katherine.

Sitting at the Katherine Doorways Hub, a drop in centre for people at risk or experiencing homelessness, one day out from International Women's Day, Mrs Coulthard says she is just one of the many women who have lived life frightened and unsupported.

"So many bad things happen right across the NT, it is really hard for women," she said.

"They are getting beaten, sexually abused and killed. Things like that happen to Indigenous people and to non-Indigenous people.

"Some women who are escaping can't go back to their communities. You see young girls walking around pregnant.

"I've experienced domestic violence, sleeping rough, and having to run away, I moved to Katherine to escape it all and it is still happening."

The mother of two says domestic violence is the biggest issue facing women in Katherine, with progress on gender equality remaining slow.

"You see a lot of people here in Katherine, especially women, who are homeless. They might have a home back in community, but sometimes they are escaping a tougher life," Mrs Coulthard said.

Mercia Lewis has a similar story of hardship to Mrs Coulthard.

She said she was forced to flee her home in Lajamanu 12 years ago, and has been in limbo for six years as she slowly creeps up the housing waiting list.

While she waits, with her daughter in tow, she says life has been rough. With little assistance it is difficult to scrape together enough money to pay for just the basics.

Both of the women join many people in visiting the Katherine Doorways Hub.

It is a refuge where people can drop in for breakfast and lunch, clean clothes and get assistance from case workers.

The women spend the majority of their time at the Hub painting in the art room, but come closing time, just after midday, they are required to leave.

While the Hub was recently refunded for an additional five years, there was not enough to extend the opening hours into the evening and across the weekend.

Mrs Coulthard and Mrs Lewis identified the lack of a 24-hour safe space a major issue for women in Katherine.

"Through talking we can help each other," Mrs Coulthard said, "we need a space out of town where women can go to talk to each other and feel supported. So we can be strong for our kids."

"Us women need to be able to flee dangerous situations knowing there is a safe place to go.

"Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Darwin - they all have these shelters, but some women don't like that, it needs to be a place outside of town where we can sit and do art."

Domestic Violence survivor, Charmaine Tambling, is a case worker at the Katherine Doorways Hub.

Her story echoes those of many others, a story marred by years of peril at the hands of her partner.

"I thought it was normal, I felt shame and I protected him, even though it nearly led me to death."

She is not alone, on average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner, and statistics indicate those rates increase in regional settings.

"Domestic violence is at the top of the list of issues women face in Katherine, because homelessness, financial issues can all stem from domestic violence," Ms Tambling said.

"Women are dealing with so many barriers that they can't overcome and that creates a feeling of helplessness.

"If they want to fix issues, they have to tell their story over and over again to different people and it's overload and overwhelming."

Agreeing with Mrs Coulthard she said women need access to a safe space in Katherine.

"It needs to be somewhere women can go and feel dignified and get access to help if they need it.

"It is about asking them how they feel and providing safety and security."

Women and girls will be celebrated around the world on Sunday for International Women's Day.

This year's campaign, #EachForEqual, draws attention to the difference individuals can make.

More reading: International Women's Day: What's on in Katherine

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