Associated Country Women Of The World (ACWW)

About ACWW

ACWW is the largest international organisation for rural women. It has a uniquely down-to-earth approach, offering mutual support, friendship and practical help to its members.

The organisation has a membership of nine million through its 365 Member Societies in over 70 countries.

ACWW's Aims & Objectives

TO RAISE the standard of living of rural women and families through education, training and community development programmes.

TO PROVIDE practical support to its members and help them set up income-generating schemes.

TO GIVE rural women a voice at international level through its links with UN agencies.

How it Began

LATE 19th CENTURY – rural women's groups were set up independently. Communication between groups enabled more country women to come together in friendship and work towards similar goals.

LONDON APRIL 1929 – first International Conference of Rural Women – 46 women from 24 countries attended four-day conference.

VIENNA 1930 – conference decision by the International Council of Women to form a 'Liaison Committee' of rural women's organisations.

STOCKHOLM 1933 – the committee became the Associated Country Women of the World.

How ACWW is Financed

ACWW is entirely dependent for income on annual dues paid by Member Societies and Individual Member donations. It receives no government funding.

PENNIES FOR FRIENDSHIP, donated voluntarily by members and Member Societies, are the main source of ACWW's income.

DUES (payable per annum by Member Societies and Individual Members). All categories of membership receive a copy of The Countrywoman magazine quarterly.

DONATIONS AND GRANTS are welcome to enable our valuable work to be maintained.

ACWW FUNDS

ACWW supports development programmes through these funds:

GENERAL PROJECTS FUND: Family planning initiatives, HIV/AIDS awareness, small business schemes, skill training.

WATER FOR ALL FUND: Clean water and sanitation projects providing: water tanks, bore wells, hand pumps, education and training, programmes to improve health and hygiene.

WOMEN FEED THE WORLD: Subsistence food production and co-operatives, training in farming techniques, credit savings schemes.

LADY ABERDEEN SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Scholarships, courses in home economics, courses in welfare and citizenship for leaders in rural communities.

ELSIE ZIMMERN MEMORIAL FUND: Advanced training in organisation and leadership.

NUTRITION EDUCATION FUND: Good nutrition, improved hygiene, food production.

The above scholarships are available only to members of ACWW organisations

ACWW South East Asia and Far East Blog was created on

8 February 2009

Sources : ACWW 2009