International Council of Women

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The International Council of Women (ICW) was established in 1888 in Seneca Falls, New York State, USA by Susan B. Anthony and other women's rights activists. National Councils are affiliated to the ICW and thus make themselves heard at international level. The ICW enjoys consultative status with the UN and its Permanent Representatives to: ECOSOC, ILO, FAO, WHO, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNCTAD, UNIDO, etc.

[edit] Beginnings

The International Council of Women's first meeting was held in Washington D.C. March-April 1888 and included 49 delegates from 9 countries: Canada, the United States, Ireland, India, England, Finland, Denmark, France and Norway. It drafted a constitution and established national meetings every 3 years and international meetings every 5 years. It did not actively promote women's suffrage as to not upset the more conservative members. Its early meetings received a large amount of media attention.

The first National Council of Women of Australia was established in 1931 to coordinate the state bodies existing prior to Australia's Federation.

Random fact! The ICW met at the world's fair in Chicago in 1893.

[edit] The ICW Today

The ICW worked with the League of Nations during the 1920s and the United Nations post-World War II. It now is composed of 70 countries and has a headquarters in Paris. International meetings are held every 3 years.

[edit] External links


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