Shama Ethnic Women's Trust

Shama Ethnic Women’s Trust (commonly known as Shama) is a charitable trust formed in 2002 after the identification of a gap in available services for ethnic women and children that are run by ethnic women. The founding members of Shama recognised that the challenges faced by ethnic women are complex and unique, and their needs often sit outside what is catered for by mainstream social services and support programmes. Shama aims to support the development of a truly multi-cultural New Zealand where all women from ethnic minorities would be fully integrated into New Zealand society, to live lives of dignity, free from fear of violence and discrimination, and to be recognised as valuable contributors to their local communities.