African & International Women Organisations

(Click here for Women Organisations in Uganda.)

ABANTU
ABANTU for Development is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1991 by women, for the purpose of harnessing resources to the benefit of African people. Abantu means "people" in many languages, and symbolizes their people-centred philosophy. The main focus of their work is on training, providing information and advice on mobilising resources towards sustainable development in Africa.

Asociatia Femeilor Din Romania - Women's Association of Romania (AFR)
Asociatia Femeilor Din Romania (AFR) is the first democratic organization for women that started during the December 1989 revolution, as a result of the necessity to organize, represent and defend Romanian women's rights. It is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization, legally established in 1990. AFR has 9350 members in Bucharest and 20 branches in different Romanian counties. During the twelve years of existence, AFR - Women's Association from Romania - the initiator of the national women's rights movement - has become a strong link between organizations, committees and coalitions that work for the benefit of Romanian women.

African Gender Institute
The African Gender Institute (AGI)'s vision is of Africa as a continent liberated from the legacies of colonial and patriarchal domination, and transformed into a powerful and united region in which women and men are respected as equal, and social justice is a reality for all its people. AGI's mission is to contribute to the realization of this vision by building intellectual capacity and establishing an African resource dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of intellectuals, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners committed to the attainment of gender equity.

African Women's Development and Communications Network (FEMNET)
The objectives of FEMNET are (1) to strengthen the role and contribution of African NGOs concerned with women's development; (2) to create a channel through which these NGOs can reach each other and share ideas, knowledge and experiences geared towards improving the condition of African Women; (3) to maintain close working relationships and foster partnership directly or indirectly with governments, UN agencies, the OAU and other bodies with objectives similar to those of the Network; and (4) to publicize the Network's activities and services through publications, awards, exhibitions and the mass media.

African Women's Development Fund
The newly established African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) is a fundraising and grant-making fund which aims to support the work of the African women's movement. The beneficiaries of the fund will be local, national and regional African women's organisations. The AWDF will raise money and make grants for the support of non-profit African women's organisations working for social justice, equity and peace. The beneficiaries of the fund will be African women's organisations working in the following areas: women's human rights; economic empowerment; political empowerment; feminist leadership development. The AWDF will also support programme work to strengthen existing initiatives in the areas of research, public policy debates and analyses, organisational development and capacity building.

African Women's Media Center
The African Women's Media Center (AWMC) is a project of the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). The IWMF was founded in 1990 with a mission of strengthening the role of women in the news media worldwide, based on the belief that no press is truly free unless women share an equal voice. The IWMF launched the AWMC in 1997 to provide African women journalists the training, resources and tools they need to compete equally with their male colleagues.

African Women's Economic Policy Network (AWEPON)
AWEPON seeks to strengthen the capacity of women especially at the grass root and national levels to influence the shape of economic policy. AWEPON owes its beginnings to the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) Women�s Desk that initiated faith-based consultations on the impact of economic policies on women. In October 1993, 11 representatives of African women�s organizations that worked on gender issues as they related to economic policy met in Washington D.C to bring together their diverse experiences and strategies on how women could play a direct and pro-active role in increasing awareness among policy makers of the effects of their decisions on women. As a network though, AWEPON was first mooted at the 1994 United Nation�s NGO regional preparatory conference that was held in Dakar, Senegal.

Akina Mama wa Afrika
Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) is an international, pan-African, non-governmental development organisation for African women based in the UK with an Africa regional office in Kampala, Uganda. AMwA was set up in 1985 by women from different parts of Africa resident in the United Kingdom. Translated from Swahili, the name means `solidarity among African women', signifying African sisterhood. AMwA coordinates local, regional and international initiatives, and builds the individual and organisational leadership capacities of African women through leadership development programs, networking, information and advocacy.

All Africa Women for Peace
All Africa Women for Peace (AAWP)'s mission is to advance the participation of women in peace making and development in Africa through research, training, networking and counselling.

Association for Professional African Women in Communication (APAC)
APAC is a forum for reflection, study and action on gender and media issue. A framework of action for new means of practicing communication and for reflecting on the best image of women through media and of communication for the promotion of women and development in Africa.

Association for Support to Women Entrepreneurs (ASAFE)
ASAFE is the French acronym for Association for Support to Women Entrepreneurs. ASAFE is a non-profit NGO for development whose primary aim is the promotion and development of entrepreneurship. ASAFE's focus lies with small enterprises in general and with small scale production initiatives that generate income and employment in all sectors. ASAFE ensures that all projects and initiatives are both environmentally and financially sustainable. This year, in partnership with the CISCO Networking Academy, ASAFE will set up a Gender Networking Academy.

APC-Africa-Women
The Africa regional programme of APC's Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP), APC-Africa-Women gathers and works together with women and women's organizations in Africa and all over the world, focusing on African women's empowerment through Information Facilitation, Regional Support, Policy and Advocacy, Training and Research in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)
The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) is an international membership organization connecting, informing and mobilizing people and organizations committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women's human rights.

Bhutan Women and Children Organisation (BWCO)
Bhutan Women and Children Organisation (BWCO) as an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, politically un-aligned and grassroots non-governmental organisation was established on November 23, 1990 in exile by the Bhutanese women to organise themselves for the protection, promotion and defence of women's and child rights, and advancement and empowerment of women in Bhutan.

Canal Side women small-scale farmers association (CAWOSFA)
Based in Lagos State, Nigeria, CAWOSFA's mission is to enhance the quality of lives of grassroots women farmers through the use of Information Communication Technology. The group meets every Tuesdays and Thursdays on a weekly basis before members go in to their farms and on a general monthly meeting every last Saturday of the month. During the weekly meetings members discuss issues affecting them personally and in respects to their farms/crops. Members are taught basic computer skills and internet surfing skills and encouraged to surf the net for information on agriculture and health.

Carrefour Emploi D�veloppement (CED-TOGO)
Based in Togo, West Africa, CED-Togo's mission is eradication of poverty and creation of jobs. The issues addressed include literacy, women's education, human rights, agriculture and women's economic empowerment.

Center for Women & Information Technology
The Center for Women and Information Technology, established at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in July, 1998, seeks to enhance understanding of the relationship between gender and IT. The Center has a three-fold mission: (1) to encourage more women and girls to study computer science and/or information systems and to pursue careers in IT; (2) to enable more women and girls to use IT comfortably and knowledgeably and to understand its rapidly increasing importance in every field, not just in science and technology but also in the arts, the humanities, and the social sciences, and (3) to foster research concerning the relationship between gender and IT.

Comit� d'Assistance � la Femme N�cessiteuse de Cameroun (CAFENEC)
Cr��e le 20 fevrier 2002, le Comit� d'Assistance � la Femme N�cessiteuse de Cameroun oeuvre pour l'am�lioration des conditions de vie des femmes n�cessiteuses, des filles d�scolaris�es et des prostitu�es de Cameroun. Elle les � se prendre en charge en organisant des seminaires, des r�unions et des programmes de formation et assure le suivi et l'encadrement des femmes afin qu'elles puissent participer au d�veloppement.

East African Media Women Association
In the past, women's media associations from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Somalia, Kenya, Comoros, Eritrea, Rwanda, Burundi and Malawi have used seminars, advocacy and lobbying to raise awareness on issues that affect women in the region such as poverty, peace, education and HIV/Aids. However, limited reach and cost of technology have however hampered their efforts and it is believed that New Information and Communication Technologies (NICTs) can help to overcome these constraints.
The East Africa Media Association will help members' associations to network and explore the potential of NICTs, particularly the Internet. It will help create linkages between the mass media and gender activists in a variety of fields.

Emunyak Women Group (EWG)
Based in Kenya, EWG's mission is for the social and economic empowerment of women by addressing women's education, economic status, and human rights. EWG is also involved in conservation activities, for example, the group has ceased the practice of cutting and burning charcoal.

Famafrique
Famafrique is an online resource and information space on sustainable development for African francophone women. (In French).

Femme De Demain (FDD)
Femme De Demain (FDD) est une organisation de d�veloppement pour la promotion de la femme. Elle pr�ne le D�veloppement Humain Durable par l'autopromotion � la base. Elle est convaincue que c'est l'Homme qui doit �tre au d�but, au centre et � la fin de toute action de d�veloppement.

Flame/Flamme
Flame is a network of African sisters online committed to strengthening the capacity of women through the use of ICTs to lobby, advocate and participate in the Beijing +5 process regionally and globally.

Fontaine d'Espoir pour Filles et Femmes (formerly Centre d'Espoir pour Filles et Femmes)
Based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, FEFF advocates for the rights and liberties of women, women's protection, women's sexual independence and her self-sufficiency for her future. To educate a woman is to educate the whole Nation!

Global Fund for Women
The Global Fund for Women provides flexible, timely grants to women's groups around the world striving to improve women's human rights. The challenges that women face vary widely across communities, cultures, religious traditions, and countries. The Global Fund for Women believes that women themselves know best how to determine their needs and propose solutions for lasting change.

Great Lakes African Women's Network (GLAWN)
GLAWN's mission is to provide culturally appropriate assistance to African Women and children in the UK and Africa, who are affected by circumstances of bereavement, so as to improve their quality of life and promote African traditional responses that are relevant to their needs.

International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF)
The IWMF was launched in 1990 with the mission to strengthen the role of women in the news media around the world, based on the belief that no press is truly free unless women share an equal voice. IWMF is involved in three areas: Raising Awareness; Building Networks; and Creating Opportunities.
IWMF programs are designed to move women into key positions in the news media by providing them with the information, skills and connections they need to succeed. The IWMF's groundbreaking projects, innovative research and support of women in the media help women develop their talents and advance in the profession. Programs build on the IWMF's extensive network of women and men journalists around the world.

Justice, Development and Peace Movement (J.D.P.M)
Based in Nigeria, J.D.P.M was established in 1994 with a mission to empower the rural dwellers to improve their livelihood.

Legal Aid and Consultancy Centre (LACC) - Nepal
The Legal Aid and Consultancy Centre (LACC) as an independent non-profit, non-partisan and non-governmental legal resource organisation was established in 1987 by a group of lawyers for the protection and promotion of the rights and interests of women and children in Nepal. As a pioneer legal resource organisation, it is dedicated for the advancement and empowerment of women, their dignity, uplifting of their socio-legal status and protection of child rights.

Mulheres Negras
Mulheres Negras is a nonprofit organization, based in Brazil, that disseminates information on research, organizations and initiatives involved with the emancipation of the black community. The website contains a database with authors, researchers, books, papers in different areas of knowledge such as health, education, african history, art, etc. (In Portuguese).

RAINBO
RAINBO is an international not-for-profit organization working on issues within the intersection between health and human rights of women. Starting with the issue of female circumcision/female genital mutilation, we explore means of preventing this and other forms of gender based violence. Our ultimate goal is to promote and protect women's reproductive and sexual health and rights. We provide technical assistance to international and donor agencies and work in partnership with local organizations to develop and advance effective policies and programs to deal with these crucial issues. Our work is focused on programs in Africa and in African immigrant and refugee communities. Our board of trustees and staff are multi-cultural with a rich diversity of professional experiences and personal backgrounds and a strong African leadership.

Ruma Women's Group
Based in Kenya, the driving force behind the formation of Ruma Women's Group in 1981 was to mobilise the women in Ruma village to contribute to their own development. The group has a variety of programs in health, education and economic empowerment.

Tam Tam Femme
Tam Tam Femme is a Women's International Association. It is apolitical, nonprofit, open to all women, with no distinction of race, belief, or nationality. TAM TAM FEMME helps all women travelling to Africa to live a rich, positive and informed experience. Our network of women can provide practical information before the travel and support upon arrival in Africa. Tam Tam Femme also promotes the exchange of ideas, suggestions and information on experiences in Africa and spreads information about associations, projects, activities and initiatives of local women.

Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS)
Launched in 1993, Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS) is an independent, non-profit and non-governmental body based at the offices of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in Trieste, Italy. TWOWS is the first international forum to unite eminent women scientists from the South with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. Full Membership is open to women scientists and scientific institutions in the South.

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
UNIFEM promotes women's empowerment and gender equality. It works to ensure the participation of women in all levels of development planning and practice, and acts as a catalyst within the UN system, supporting efforts that link the needs and concerns of women to all critical issues on the national, regional and global agendas.

WomenAction
WomenAction is a global information, communication and media network that enables NGOs to actively engage in the Beijing+5 review process with the long term goal of women's empowerment, with a special focus on women and media.

Women Connect!
Women Connect! is a participatory development project working to strengthen the communication, technology, and advocacy skills of women's rights organizations around the world. The current focus is on women's health issues in Africa.

Women in Global Science and Technology (WIGSAT)
Women in Global Science and Technology (WIGSAT) supports global networking on critical issues in science and technology for development. This includes women's formal and nonformal science and technology practices around the world, for policy advocacy and action which promotes their science & technology contributions to sustainable development.

Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP)
The Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt research, education, and publishing organization. The organization was founded in 1972 by Dr. Donna Allen to increase communication among women and reach the public with women's experience, perspectives, and opinions. Women's contributions to society must be heard and be taken into account if democracy is to function and the world's political decisions are to be viable. WIFP publishes the International Directory of Women's Media, available at no cost on their website, and a booklet series on media democracy, as well as an Associates Newsletter, Voices for Media Democracy.

Women's Intercultural Network - California Women's Agenda
The Women's Intercultural Network (WIN) is organized around the principle of crossing and connecting cultures, "linking women and girls across cultures, globally and in U.S. communities." WIN creates settings and opportunities for women and girls to come together to exchange ideas and skills in political, economic and professional leadership. This is done to ensure that the voices of all women and girls are heard and to provide venues for the voices of our sisters who have not been able to speak for themselves - such as CALLING THE CIRCLE. We laughingly say that we organize "on the interstate and on the internet."
CAWA, the California Women's Agenda - is a project of WIN that was born out of the Beijing Conference in 1995. WIN uses the Beijing Plan of Action as a framework for the issues, revised for California, as women everywhere are familiar with it. For example, it was through CAWA that WIN was first connected to Ugandan women organizations, and, "Calling the Circle: Women from Uganda and the US" was created.

Women's Human Rights NET (whrNET)
whrNET is a collaborative Information & Communication Technology (ICT) project developed by an international coalition of women's organizations. whrNET aims to strengthen advocacy for women's human rights through the effective utilization of information and communication technologies. The sponsoring organizations are part of a global movement for women's human rights that has grown steadily since the World Conference of Human Rights (Vienna, 1993) and the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995).

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has a long commitment, dating back to its establishment in 1915, to the achievement of peace and justice, and the full enjoyment of human rights. WILPF brings together women from all over the world who are opposed to war, violence, exploitation and all forms of discrimination and oppression, who wish to unite in establishing peace by non-violent means based on political, economic and social justice for all. WILPF is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) with National Sections in more than 40 countries, covering all continents, and with an International Secretariat based in Geneva and a United Nations office in New York.
WILPF works on issues of peace, human rights and disarmament at the local, national and international levels, participates in the ongoing international debates on peace and security, conflict prevention and resolution, on the elimination of all forms of discrimination, and works for the promotion and protection of human rights. It contributes to the analysis of these issues, and through its many activities, educates, informs and mobilises women for action. WILPF's PeaceWomen.org seeks to nurture communication among a diversity of women's organisations by providing an accessible and accurate information exchange between peace women around the world and the UN system.
WILPF has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and has special relations with the International Labour Office (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and others.

Women's Learning Partnership
Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) is an international, non-governmental organization (NGO) registered as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in the United States. WLP works to empower women and girls in the Global South to re-imagine and re-structure their roles in their families, communities, and societies. WLP seeks to achieve this goal through leadership training, capacity building, and helping women generate as well as receive information and knowledge.

Women'sNet
Women'sNet is a vibrant and innovative networking support program designed to enable South African women to use the Internet to find the people, issues, resources and tools needed for women's social activism.

Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF)
WWSF is an international, non profit, non-confessional NGO and empowerment agency (with UN ECOSOC consultative status), based in Geneva, Switzerland. WWSF works for the implementation of women's and children's rights and annually convenes the "Prize for women's creativity in rural life", the World Rural Women's Day � 15 October, the World Fund for the Dignity of Children, and the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse - 19 November.

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Last update: March-19, 2004