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Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

Website: http://www.wilpf.int.ch/

Category: Peace

Year of Foundation: 1915

Location of Foundation: Hague, Netherlands

Location of Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

Brief Description: The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom describes itself as 'an international Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with national sections, covering all continents with an international secretariat based in Geneva, and a New York office focused on the work of the United Nations. Since its establishment in 1915, WILPF has brought together women from around the world who are united in working for peace by non-violent means, promoting political, economic and social justice for all.' (Source: www.wilpf.int.ch; accessed 4 February 2010).

Founding Rationales:

The International Congress of Women held in the Hague in 1915 'founded an International Committee of Women for Permanent Peace to organize international support for the Resolutions and to ensure that a Congress of Women be held in the same time and at the same place as the Conference of the powers which shall frame the peace settlement after the war.'

The official objects of the 'International Women's Committee for Permanent Peace' were: '1. To ensure that an international Congress of Women shall be held in the same place and at the same time as the official Conference which shall frame the terms of the peace settlement after the war for the purpose of making practical proposals to that Conference. 2. To organise support for the resolutions passed by the International Congress of Women at the Hague 1915. ... For the purposes of propaganda it will probably be desirable that in every country there should be a National Association, membership of which should be open to those who support a. The extension of the Parl. Franchise to women; b. The settlement of International disputes by peaceful means; and who are in general agreement with the resolutions adopted by the International Congress of Women.'

Source: International Women's Committee of Permanent Peace, 'International Congress of Women. The Hague - 28th April - May 1st 1915. Report.' (Amsterdam: International Women's Committee of Permanent Peace, 1915), pp. xlvii, 42-43.

Evolution of Membership:

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Membership Chart

Sources: HIO; League of Nations Archives R.3604