About Us

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ABOUT US

International Women of Saskatoon (IWS) is a non-profit, grassroots and an equality-seeking women’s organization dedicated to improving the status of immigrant and refugee women and their families residing in Saskatoon and area by assisting them to become full participating members in all aspects of the Canadian society. 

The organization formerly known as Immigrant Women of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon Chapter) was founded in 1985. IWS works both independently and in partnership with other agencies and groups to provide uniquely designed programs and services aimed at providing effective settlement/integration support systems to our clients and members.

HISTORY

IWS was formed in 1985 to address the unique needs and issues that affect immigrant, refugee and visible minority women, which remained outside the perimeters of the mainstream service organizations. The provincial organization, Immigrant Women of Saskatchewan (also called Immigrant, Refugee, and Visible Minority Women of Saskatchewan) was the first organization in Saskatchewan, to undertake an extensive study to identify various needs of immigrant women, including that of employment. Thus, at the local level in Saskatoon, our organization was created by a group of women from around the world, some displaced from their home countries, to address the concerns and issues of immigrant and refugee women as they strive to integrate into the Canadian society, and promote a better understanding of their needs and aspirations within the mainstream society.

IWS TODAY: MOVING FORWARD

IWS remains a grassroots women’s organization that is committed to the empowerment and advancement of newcomer, immigrant and refugee women and their families. Notably, our Organization has evolved over the years in the effort to respond more effectively to the changing needs of the diverse groups of clients who access our services. We appreciate the fact that the Settlement/Integration Sector is a dynamic sector and so we have, as a matter of organizational culture and practice, committed to being dynamic, flexible, proactive and also responsive, by adopting such principles as: collaboration, coordination and cooperation vis-à-vis client services, community stakeholder engagement, relationship building with funders, inter-cultural connections and inter-sectoral networking.