Maama Watali House:
We’re creating a transitional housing space for Black and racialized women survivors of violence in Ottawa. Our initiative is currently in the fundraising phase for pre-development. Help us bring this project to life.
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IS ONE OF THE MOST PREVALENT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF OUR TIME.
Maama Watali works to achieve gender equality by centering Black women. Canadians deserve to live a life free from partner violence, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological assault. Yet many Canadians face violence every day because of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, socio-or economic status


Maama Watali. Our Story. Our Voice
Maama Watali meaning “in the absence of a Mother” is an Ottawa-based, Black-led nonprofit organization with an international reach. Though Maama Watali was officially incorporated in 2012, MW has been operating for many years prior in support of Black Women and their families as they navigate rebuilding their social and economic lives after personal loss and gender-based violence.
Women in Canada face threats to their human rights every day. Maama Waatali believes that everyone deserves to live a life free from partner violence, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological assault.
Join the Conversation and Inspire the Community
Our Latest Blog
Creating, Building, Nurturing and Sustaining Mentoring Communities
As the world continues to celebrate the international theme of Resistance for Black History Month 2023, the Ottawa Theme is “Our Canadian Story: Legacies Worth Preserving, Celebrating and Creating.
Get Involved
Get engaged with us to break the cycle of violence today.
Together, We Can
Building Awareness
To build awareness of the challenges encountered by women of African descent, Black and Caribbean living in Canada and the diaspora.
Create Safe Environment
To create a safe and culturally sensitive environment where women of African descent can voice their concerns regarding all forms of gender bias, abuse or harassment within their personal or professional lives.
Change The System
We want to change the narrative and transform the system to recognise the experiences of all forms of gender violence against Black women and children by collecting race-based data.
Thank you to our Partners

Be part of the solution
Join us in creating a much-needed safe haven in Ottawa for Black and racialized women survivors of violence and their families.