1975-2025
Women’s International Forum
Over the past half-century, WIF has evolved from a small circle of diplomats’ spouses seeking meaningful dialogue into a platform of strong advocates for the UN Charter and Sustainable Development Goals. Through each decade, our community has grown and strengthened as we continue to partner with UN leaders, policymakers, and visionaries, always guided by the belief that lasting progress comes when we work “Better Together”—the defining theme of UN80.
The summaries and images below provide just a snapshot, chosen to illustrate the journey of the organization and its members across five decades. We also invite you to explore a booklet compiled by the 2025 WIF Executive Board, capturing some of the most precious memories throughout those years.
Commemorative Booklet
Founding and women's leadership at the United Nations
The Women’s International Forum (WIF) was founded in 1975 during the United Nations’ International Women’s Year, inspired by diplomatic spouses eager to engage with international affairs and the UN agenda.
Small, diverse gatherings at the Church Center near the UN Headquarters built a platform for independent dialogue and lifelong connections, while reflecting the spirit of the UN Decade for Women.
Key Global Events:
- 1975: UN International Women’s Year and the first World Conference on Women in Mexico City.
- 1976: Launch of the UN Decade for Women.
- 1979: Adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
“The original members of WIF were a wonderful group of very engaged women… We watched a lot of films to learn about the different countries represented at the UN and listened to speakers.”
Early Member’s recollection
UN Photo/Michos Tzovaras
UN Headquarters in New York. The United Nations site covers an eighteen acre, six block tract on Manhattan Island from 42nd to 48th Streets between First Avenue and the East River.
UN Photo/B. Lane
The World Conference of the International Women’s Year opened in Mexico City on 19 June 1975. 110 delegations were represented at the opening session, with women delegates outnumbering men by about six to one.
UN Photos/Milton Grant
The 1985 World Conference ended the UN Decade for Women by adopting a final consensus document with strategies to improve women’s status and integrate them into development for the rest of the century.
Growth and GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
WIF expanded during the second decade, welcoming members from around the globe and hosting dialogues on vital UN topics such as human rights, development, and peace. A milestone was achieved when the organization gained its first official space within the United Nations building, marking deeper integration with UN life. This period also saw WIF strengthening its role as a forum for women leaders and diplomats to engage on global issues, foster international cooperation, and build enduring networks across diverse sectors.
Key Global Events:
- 1985: World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the UN Decade for Women (Nairobi).
- 1992: Boutros Boutros-Ghali becomes UN Secretary-General.
- Regular dialogues with high-level UN officials reflected WIF’s growing reputation.
“WIF was an important part of my wife Gillian’s five years in New York, and she enjoyed chairing it enormously.”
Sir David Hannay, UK Permanent Representative to the UN
UN Photo/John Isaac
The UN Decade for Women Conference in 1985 set an agenda for future global efforts towards gender equality, addressing issues like pay equity, violence against women, and women’s rights in development and peace.
UN Photo/John Isaac
The General Assembly by acclamation appoints Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt, as the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations, for a five-year term beginning 1 January 1992.
UN Photo/Milton Grant
August 1994 Bella Abzug, nicknamed “Battling Bella”, a leader in the women’s movement addresses a gathering to mark International Women’s Day. At left centre is Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
Convening Global Voices
Marking the UN’s 50th anniversary and the Beijing World Conference on Women, WIF brought together world leaders and civil society voices to examine critical issues—gender equality, economic empowerment, and peace processes. At the same time, WIF celebrated its 25th anniversary featuring commemorative events and the organization’s first charitable donation to support girls’ education through UNICEF.
Key Global Events:
- 1995: Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing.
- 2000: Millennium Summit, adoption of the Millennium Development Goals
“My fondest memories and most interesting speakers were Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, Richard Holbrooke before he became Ambassador, and Sergei Lavrov as PR of Russia.”
Barbara Evans Butler, WIF President.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
24 October 1995 The United Nations, seen from the East River in New York City, is lit up for its 50th Anniversary.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Patron of WIF, Yoo Soon-taek, presents a donation for UNICEF project, “City of Joy”, during a WIF event. Hiba Frankoul, International and Corporate Alliances Officer at UNICEF, receives the donation with Amy Hamidon, WIF president (left)
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Mary Robinson (centre), United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mrs. Nane Annan (fourth from right), with members of the Women’s International Forum.
A Global Community and Emerging Leadership
This decade witnessed WIF’s growth as a vibrant platform for dialogue with top UN leaders including Secretary-Generals Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. The Forum hosted critical discussions on peacebuilding, climate change, the Millennium Development Goals, and women’s empowerment. WIF also deepened its relationship with UNICEF and the newly formed UN Women agency. WIF leadership expanded programming to include scientific and humanitarian topics with diverse speakers across diplomacy and civil society.
Key Global Events:
- 2005: UN turns 60; Creation of the UN Peacebuilding Commission.
- 2006: Kofi Annan’s final year as UN Secretary-General, highlighting global challenges and reforms.
- 2007–2011: Ban Ki-moon’s tenure, emphasizing multilateralism, climate agreements, and MDG progress.
- 2010: Establishment of UN Women and adoption of the Millennium Development Goals Summit outcomes.
“The Women’s International Forum is one of our very active fora… always keeping us abreast of what happens in the international field related to the United Nations.”
Nane Annan, WIF Patron.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
May 2005 Secretary-General Kofi Annan addressing the Women’s International Forum on “United Nations in 2005 – The Way Forward“. The Co-Presidents of the Forum are Irmy Richardson (left) and Jun Cong (right).
UN Photo/Jean Marc Ferré
14 September 2010 Michelle Bachelet, former Prime Minister of Chile, was appointed head of the newly created United Nations body UN Women by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pictured with members of WIF after delivering a lecture titled From Syria to Sustainable Development: The United Nations on the Eve of the General Assembly 2013
Amplifying Voices and Adapting to Change
The most recent decade saw WIF addressing global justice, sustainable development, and peacebuilding aligned with the adoption and localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). WIF expanded its Honorary Board to over 30 female Ambassadors, emphasizing women’s leadership in diplomacy. The Forum embraced digital platforms and adapted swiftly during the COVID-19 pandemic with virtual events featuring prominent UN officials and experts. Youth empowerment and multilateral reform were key themes as WIF marked the lead-up to the UN’s 80th anniversary.
Key Global Events:
- 2015: Adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
- 2020: UN’s 75th anniversary amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.
- 2021+: UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s ‘Our Common Agenda’ and Summit of the Future.
- 2024: UN Climate Conference COP29; high-level talks on UN Security Council reform; adoption of Pact for the Future at the UN Summit of the Future
“The Women’s International Forum was the first organization to use Zoom soon after the COVID-19 lockdown in NYC to continue offering a stellar array of speakers…”
Zarina Varukatty, WIF President 2020–2024
16 SEPTEMBER 2015 Princess Mabel from The Netherlands in conversation with WIF members on the topic – Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage
17 FEBRUARY 2017 Sofia Herrera Cubillo, WIF President addresses an event entitled “Why Men Should Invest in Women”.
In MARCH 2018, the UN hosted a major event for International Women’s Day, where Mindr and WIF welcomed nearly 500 mothers with their children to spotlight mothers’ roles as leaders and advocates for social progress.
OCTOBER 2024 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75: Ideal vs Reality with H.E. Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
JANUARY 2025 Toward a More Inclusive Security Council: Challenges and Opportunities with H.E. Mr. Tareq Albanai (Kuwait), H.E. Mr. Alexander Marschik (Austria), Mr. Richard Gowan (Crisis Group)
JUNE 2025 Localizing the SDGs: Empowering Communities for Impact with UN Deputy-Secretary-General, H.E. Ms. Amina J. Mohammed
Our History
Women’s International Forum
From Diplomats’ Spouses to Global Changemakers
Founded in 1975 during the International Year of Woman, WIF emerged from a group of diplomats’ spouses seeking to engage with international politics at a time when such opportunities were limited. What began as a means to stay informed on UN agendas, evolved into a respected forum that invites women from New York and beyond to engage with the challenges and achievements of the United Nations’ work.
Initially providing practical support to diplomatic families, WIF has grown to focus on its core mission of fostering global understanding and promoting international cooperation. Today, we proudly continue our legacy of connecting individuals to the vital work of the United Nations and the broader international community.
Dialogues Through Time
Our history is captured on a special page celebrating our 50th Anniversary, and we have created a commemorative booklet to capture the spirit of WIF through the voices, memories, and images of those who have sustained it. This booklet is not a comprehensive history or complete record of WIF’s events, but rather a snapshot of the past fifty years based on available materials. To explore more, please click the button below to visit the page or page through the booklet and discover cherished moments from our journey.
Executive Board
Meet the visionaries behind the Women’s International Forum. Learn more about their dedication to fostering dialogue, empowering women, and shaping global understanding.