Women for Women International
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| Women for Women International | |
|---|---|
| Name | Women for Women International |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Area served | Global |
| Mission | Support women survivors of conflict |
Women for Women International is an international nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to women affected by armed conflict, displacement, and post-conflict reconstruction. Founded in 1993, the organization delivers vocational training, financial literacy, psychosocial support, and advocacy to help survivors rebuild livelihoods and participate in civic life. It operates programs across multiple countries, partnering with local and international institutions to scale services and measure outcomes.
History
The organization was established in the aftermath of the Bosnian War and the Yugoslav Wars to respond to widespread sexual violence and displacement in the Balkans. Early work included projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia, later expanding to post-conflict and fragile contexts such as Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Over time the group engaged with international actors including the United Nations Development Programme, the UN Women, the World Bank, and the European Commission to influence policy on reparations, reintegration, and women's economic empowerment. Notable historical moments include program launches during the aftermaths of the Rwandan Genocide, the Second Congo War, and the Iraq War.
Mission and Programs
The mission emphasizes economic independence, social empowerment, and civic participation for women survivors of conflict and displacement. Core programmatic elements comprise vocational skills training, business development, cash transfer initiatives, psychosocial support, and leadership training. Programming models draw on evaluations by the Overseas Development Institute, the International Rescue Committee, and academic research conducted at institutions like Columbia University, London School of Economics, and University of Oxford. The organization has implemented context-specific curricula in collaboration with local NGOs, community-based organizations, and technical partners such as Mercy Corps, CARE International, and Save the Children.
Geographic Reach and Operations
Operational footprints have included countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Middle East and North Africa, and Eastern Europe. Country programs have been active in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Colombia, and Iraq. Field offices coordinate with national ministries like the Ministry of Women and Child Development (India)-style institutions and municipal authorities, as well as multilateral missions such as UNAMA and the MINUSTAH in contexts where stabilization efforts occur. The organization has adapted delivery through community centers, mobile outreach, and partnerships with local cooperative networks and microfinance institutions such as Grameen Bank-style lenders and regional credit unions.
Funding and Partnerships
Funding sources include individual donors, institutional grants, corporate philanthropy, and foundation support. Major philanthropic partners and funders have included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and regional development agencies like the United States Agency for International Development and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Corporate partnerships have been formed with multinational firms and foundations including Google.org-style programs and social impact arms of corporations. The organization has also received support from bilateral donors such as the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), European institutions including the European Union, and private foundations like the Open Society Foundations.
Governance and Leadership
Governance structures combine a board of directors, executive leadership, and country-level program directors. Past and present leadership has engaged with networks linked to think tanks such as the Brookings Institution, human rights organizations like Amnesty International, and peacebuilding forums including the Women, Peace, and Security community engaged with the United Nations Security Council resolutions framework. Board members and executives have professional links to institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, and business schools including INSEAD and Wharton School. Advisory councils have included experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross and development economists affiliated with the International Monetary Fund.
Impact and Evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation have employed randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and qualitative case studies conducted in partnership with universities and research centers like Princeton University, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and regional research institutes. Impact indicators assessed include income generation, savings behavior, psychosocial wellbeing, and civic participation; evaluations have been cited by policy bodies such as the United Nations General Assembly and donor agencies. Results have been discussed in academic journals and conferences organized by the American Political Science Association and the International Studies Association. Critiques and debates around measurement, cost-effectiveness, and program sustainability have engaged networks including ODI and the Center for Global Development.