Our Vision. |.Where are we?.|.Our credentials.|.Our. teachers.|.Funding
Women’s Self Defence Network—Wāhine Toa Inc
Women’s Self Defence Network — Wāhine Toa is a network of trained and accredited women teachers of self defence. We are located throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Vision Te Ara Whakamua
The Women’s Self Defence Network — Wāhine Toa works in pursuit of a society where violence and abuse against women and girls no longer occur — a society where such behaviour is unthinkable and intolerable. Our vision is of a safe and respectful society where violence and abuse are not O.K.
We believe that women and girls having the attitudes and skills of self defence is a significant step towards such a society.
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Where are we? Kei hea mātou?
We are all over Aotearoa New Zealand. Contact us
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Our credentials Ā Mātou totiu whakahaere
The Women’s Self Defence Network — Wāhine Toa is a legally constituted Incorporated Society, with Charitable Status from the Inland Revenue Department.
We are accredited with Provider Standards of Approval with Child Youth and Family, and have a contract with Family and Community Services, Ministry of Social Development for the delivery of self defence courses to Year 3 - 4, 7 - 8 and 10 - 11 - 12 girls through the Girls’ Self Defence Project. The Girls’ Self Defence Project is now in its thirteenth year.
Standards of approval ensure that the network has sound robust structures and procedures around business viability and programme quality standards. These include the vetting and training of teachers, programme planning, cultural appropriateness, monitoring of teaching standards, etc.
The Women’s Self Defence Network — Wāhine Toa has a formal complaints procedure which can be utilised in the event of any complaints about our service. Further detail can be obtained by contacting the administrator (link).
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Our teachers Ō Mātou Kaiako
All of our teachers are individually selected, trained and accredited. They participate in ongoing professional development and performance monitoring to ensure that their teaching is of the highest standard. Our teachers are also police-checked and have current First Aid Certificates.
The leadership of the network includes nationally recognised educators — women with extensive backgrounds in education, probation, refuge and rape crisis. Our teachers include mothers, dairy farmers, nurses, school teachers, police, policy developers, grandmothers and a wide range of other roles.
Many of our teachers teach self defence in their communities on a part-time basis.
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Funding Te Tahua
The Girl’s Self Defence Project is a fully funded contract with the Ministry of Social Development. Other courses are self funded.
Other contributors at various times have included:
- Janus Trust
- Safer Communities Councils
- J R McKenzie Trust
- Local Community Trusts
- Cathy Pelly Maungarongo Trust
- YWCA
- COGS
- Te Puni Kokiri
- Lottery Welfare
- Community Health Initiatives Fund
- Community Funding Agency
- Crime Prevention Unit
- Hillary Commission
We are always delighted to accept donations, which can be tax deductible. Sponsorships for specific cases or other activities are always welcome.
If you would like to help, contact us here.
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