YWCA Mission Statement:
 The YWCA of Aotearoa-New Zealand works to empower women, especially young women, by enhancing their spiritual, physical, mental and cultural well-being. We acknowledge our Christian and women’s heritage and commit ourselves to Te Tiriti O Waitangi and to addressing all forms of oppression so that women may together attain social and economic justice.
So what does this mean in the real world?? It means that the Y works really hard to support and co-ordinate projects that young women want, as well as fight for issues that concern young women in Aotearoa today. There are 10 YWCA associations from Whangarei to Dunedin, and a national association based in Wellington. The Y produces a variety of exciting projects and programmes both locally and nationally.
The national association employs a young woman to co-ordinate young women’s projects. This person – the National Y-Dub Programme Director - then brings on board young women like you who are interested in contributing to various projects. The most recent of course being this Y-Dub website.
The site was originally created by the 2001-2002 National Programme Director, Robyn Paterson. She got a young woman web designer and a young woman graphic designer involved in developing the funky site, as well as a group of interested young writers. Other young women from YWCAs around the country, like Gez Harvey from Rotorua and Melita Farley from Wellington, also put heaps of work into the site. Together, a group of young women made it all happen. That’s how the Y works!
We believe that young women need a voice and to be given the space and time to be heard. One really important aspect of YWCA national association work is producing free publications tackling relevant young women’s issues. The wide range of Y publications delivers news and views that reflect what’s important in young women’s lives. Again, all of these publications are produced by and for young women. Check out what’s on offer …..
You can check out the YWCA home page at www.ywca.org.nz To find out what’s going on for young women in an area close to you, and/or find the contact details for your nearest YWCA, click on the links below:
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