Our Story
The Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) carries out its work on the original lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and present, and we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
The Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) is dedicated to providing a unified voice for women, children and gender diverse individuals who are affected by violence and abuse.
In the mid-1980s, domestic violence women’s shelters in Manitoba began to work together to provide support to the sector’s frontline professionals, reduce the isolation of shelter directors, and stop the competition between shelters for funding dollars. The organization evolved and was incorporated in 1991 as the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters Inc., supporting those who work to reduce gender-based violence (MAWS is a registered charitable organization – 88078 6892 RR0001.)
Mission Statement:
MAWS provides leadership and support for organizations working with those experiencing abuse, by identifying and addressing common areas of need, strengthening standard practices and increasing public awareness of domestic abuse.
Membership includes ten provincially funded women’s shelters, as well as Associate members working on the area of family violence.
In order to improve services for clients, MAWS was created and works to provide:
(a) leadership and support to member shelters and agencies in the gender-based violence prevention and support sector.
(b) increased negotiating abilities with funders.
(c) shared information and resources, as well as strengthened standard practices.
(d) increased public awareness.
(e) training resources for sector staff.
If you would like to join MAWS please contact us for more information.
MAWS Annual Reports:
Our Philosophy
Beliefs & Goals
The Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) carries out its work on the original lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and present, and we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Our Beliefs:
- Everyone has the right to live violence-free.
- Gender-based, family and domestic violence exist because of inequalities in society.
- Community involvement is essential to address the issue of violence against women and children.
- A network of service providers, in addition to the legal, social, and political structures, is necessary to address violence against women and children.
- Public education is key to addressing issues of violence.
- We can make a difference.
Our Goals:
To foster professional development within Manitoba shelters.
To unite Manitoba shelters and provide a central body to facilitate communication.
To provide a unified voice for those affected by violence.
To foster networking and information sharing among shelters and between other agencies that work to eliminate all forms of violence.
To assist in acquiring resources for member shelters.
To encourage the assistance of other service agencies, voluntary organizations, private industry, and government in addressing issues of violence against women and children.
To promote public education around family, domestic and gender-based violence.
To identify and promote best practices among member shelters.
To develop and promote provincial standards for all Manitoba shelters.
Values & Guiding Principles
The Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) carries out its work on the original lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and present, and we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Principles of Harm Reduction
“Harm reduction posits that people live their lives on a continuum and that it is necessary to recognize the complexity of challenging situations people navigate” (Cooper, Driedger & Lavoie, 2018, pp 137)
Values + Beliefs that underpin Harm Reduction:
Strengths-Based: Focusing on strengths first and foremost, while acknowledging that there are areas of improvement.
Empowerment: Affirming and supporting those who experience violence where they are at.
Dignity and Compassion: Allowing those who experience violence to feel that their needs are met without judgment.
Principles of Trauma-Informed Practice
A trauma-informed approach asserts that individuals will have different responses to traumatic events. Trauma-informed practice takes into account the neurobiological response to trauma that manifests in behaviours that some might see as negative coping mechanisms (Champine, Robey, 2018).
Values + Beliefs that underpin Trauma-Informed Practice:
Safety: Includes cultural safety and trauma safety.
Trust: Developing relationships that foster trust.
Collaboration: The belief that those who experience violence are experts in their own lives.
Empowerment: Affirming where those who experience violence are at, and empowering them to make decisions for their own lives.
Principles of Intersectional Feminist Practice
“Intersectional feminist theory emerged to make the unique experiences and vulnerabilities of marginalized women more visible (Crenshaw, 1991). Intersectional approaches underscore the ways in which social categories, including but not limited to race, class, ability, gender, and sexuality, interact to shape IPV experiences (Potter 2013; Sokoloff and Dupont 2005). As a result, individuals contending with multiple oppressions encounter challenges that may or may not be adequately addressed with mainstream IPV services.” (Kulkarni, 2019).
Values + Beliefs that underpin Intersectional Feminism:
Ensure services meet the unique needs of those who experience violence are reflective of their lived experience.
Acknowledge the multiple identities of service users beyond that of “victim.”
That the work of MAWS is to challenge patriarchal structures and misogyny.
Principles of Decolonization
Acknowledging the legacy of settler-colonial policies such as residential schools and the sixties scoop on the Indigenous communities, families and individuals to this day. As well, understanding that the current systems, policies and structures uphold settler colonialism and continue to perpetuate violence against Indigenous peoples.
Values + Beliefs that underpin Decolonized practice
Acknowledge that:
The experiences of those who experience violence are framed by settler colonialism and historical trauma.
The result of settler colonialist policies is violence against Indigenous women, girls and members of the 2SLGBTQQIA community.
That the work of shelters and MAWS is to be actively anti-racist.
