Established in 1986, is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian organization. It was the concrete result of the work of both immigrant and visible minority women who recognized their common concerns and common goals and joined forces across the country to pursue these goals. The purpose of the organization is to ensure equality for immigrant and visible minority women, within bilingual Canada.

Immigrant, visible minority and refugee women together make up about 30% of the female population of this country and NOIVMWC forms a united national voice for immigrant and visible minority women and liaisons with other national women's groups to improve the status of the target population. NOIVMWC has a broad membership base, which includes all provincial networks of immigrant and/visible minority women, ethno-cultural organizations and community groups and individuals.