A multicultural sisterhood women of the diaspora in Aotearoa.
Our mission is to support women of the diaspora to thrive in their careers, embrace and understand their journeys, and feel empowered at every stage of their professional and personal growth.
We grow through collaboration
We believe in the power of collaboration to open new pathways. By working with partners across industries, we create opportunities for women in our sisterhood to explore careers, share knowledge, and step into spaces they may not have otherwise accessed.
"Khawat has been a really important part of my journey. Through it, I was able to get a scholarship, and I’m honestly so grateful for all the support I received. The girls in Khawat supported me a lot, especially when it came to preparing for interviews — they really helped me feel more confident and ready. It also helped me on a personal level. I met amazing girls from different fields, made new connections, and built a strong network where we support each other both socially and professionally. It really made a difference for me, mentally and in terms of growth. "
— Soura Al Samadi, Khawat Youth
“Khawat was born from the conversations we were already having — about navigating careers, identity, and the spaces we didn’t always feel seen in. I wanted to create something that felt like support, but also like home. A place where women could grow, connect, and move forward without having to leave parts of themselves behind.”
— Eman Ghandour, Founder
"I just wanted to say thank you for organizing the Banat Al Sham Tatreez sessions. It was such a deeply needed space — one I never thought I would find here in Aotearoa. Connecting with other wāhine who share similar experiences, particularly around immigration and identity, was incredibly beautiful and grounding. Learning about our traditions together while openly talking about these shared experiences felt refreshing and validating.
I hope to see more workshops and spaces like this in the future. Thank you for creating and holding something so special."
— Luna Shobaki