International Association of Women in Radio and Television
The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) is a women's organization involved in the broadcasting industry.
History
IAWRT was founded in 1949 and held the first conference of its own in 1951.
One of the founders of the organization, Willemijn Posthumus-van der Goot,[1] left an extensive collection of papers from its early years, which are housed in the International Archives for the Women's Movement (Dutch: Internationaal Informatiecentrum en Archief voor de Vrouwenbeweging (IIAV)), located within the Atria Institute, a major women's archive based in Amsterdam.[2]
During the 1950s through 1980s, IAWRT was a friendship organization between women journalists on either side of the Iron Curtain, intended to promote peace. At first, only one member from each country was permitted to join. As times changed, IAWRT became more of a networking organization for media women. [3]
The organisation of professional women working in, or educating about, electronic and allied media, has a mission to strengthen initiatives which ensure women’s views and values are integral to media programming and to advance the impact of women in media. IAWRT has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Current status
The organisation today has 12 chapters across the world and continues to organise regional and international conferences, film festivals, workshops and training for the professional development of its members.[4]
The 2015 biennial conference took place in New Delhi, India. The 2017 Biennial is to be held in The Philippines.
The President for 2015-2017 is Gunilla Ivarsson of Sweden.[5]
The United Nations Main eepresentative is Sheila Katzman of the US, backed by Rebecca Myles and Linnea Rae the youth representative.