Khawat Youth Coaching - Learning Hub (MoE)

 

Khawat — meaning “sisters” in Arabic — is a career and leadership network dedicated to supporting ethnic women living in the diaspora, navigating third-culture identities, and carving their unique pathways in Aotearoa and beyond.

At its heart, Khawat exists to create a space for wāhine (women) to come together — to learn from one another, to share their stories, and to stand in their full selves without needing to leave parts of who they are behind.

We understand that ethnic women often walk through spaces holding multiple worlds — culture, language, heritage, and lived experiences that shape how they see themselves and how the world sees them. Khawat is about turning these layers into leadership strengths — celebrating identity, amplifying culture, and supporting one another to rise.

Khawat Youth is the next chapter of this vision — an intentional space created by sisters, for future sisters.

It’s about investing in our rangatahi wāhine — our younger sisters — so they can become the Khawat of the future. Leaders who are grounded in who they are, proud of where they come from, and confident to step boldly into where they are going.

This project is proudly supported by the Ministry of Education Community and Partnership Fund — recognising the need for holistic, culturally safe, and empowering career development spaces for ethnic young women.

At the heart of our mahi (work) is Mana Taiohi — a youth development framework grounded in indigenous wisdom, values, and relational practice. Originally developed as part of the Youth Development Strategy of Aotearoa, Mana Taiohi reminds us that rangatahi — our young people — thrive when their mana — their strength, potential, identity, and dignity — is recognised, upheld, and nourished.

This framework beautifully aligns with the heart and values of Khawat.

Just as Khawat exists to create spaces of belonging, sisterhood, and empowerment for wāhine — ethnic women — Mana Taiohi provides us with guiding principles to work alongside rangatahi wāhine (young women) in a way that honours who they are, where they come from, and who they are becoming.

Through Khawat Youth, we are intentionally creating a space where our younger sisters — our rangatahi wāhine — can stand proud in their identity, culture, and story — seeing these not as barriers, but as their leadership superpowers.

This is not just a career programme — it’s a journey of self-discovery, sisterhood, and skills-building for life.

Building self-confidence, communication, and personal responsibility. Exploring what leadership looks like for each of us.

Celebrating culture, story, and whakapapa as a strength. Exploring third-culture experiences and turning them into leadership superpowers.

Navigating emotions, personal growth, and building resilience through tools for self-awareness, healing, and wellbeing.

Practical wellbeing tools — breathwork, mindfulness, nervous system support — for everyday stress and emotional regulation.

Creating connection, community, and belonging. Learning how to support ourselves and each other as future Khawat.

A creative vision boarding session exploring hopes, goals, and what’s possible in careers and life.

Meeting wāhine leaders from our wider Khawat community. Learning from their journeys and careers.

How to show up confidently in modern workspaces. Using AI positively — from cover letters to interviews — and building your personal brand.

Facilitated by a psychologist — unpacking confidence, limiting beliefs, and unlocking your full self.

Exploring opportunities in university, employment, entrepreneurship, and beyond. How to be adaptable, open-minded, and ready for what’s next.

As part of our kaupapa (approach), we know that the support of family — especially mamas — is essential. We will be inviting mums to join us for the first and final sessions to build relationships, share our journey, and celebrate the growth of their daughters alongside us.

This is about more than workshops.

This is about creating future sisters — the Khawat of tomorrow — young wāhine who know who they are, stand tall in their identity, lead with heart, and uplift others as they rise.