Associated Country Women of the World

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At our main monthly meetings, members may bring up to three items related to the advertised theme (see programme for details). For example, a recent talk about the speaker’s safari adventures in Malawi and the remarkable wildlife she encountered inspired a diverse display of safari-themed items, ranging from elegant sculptures to cuddly toy animals.

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​​​​​​​This simple and fun fundraiser, formerly know as ‘pennies for friendship’ is now ‘Rural Women in Action’.

All funds raised through this activity are donated to the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

In 2025, £70 was raised by Arnside and Arnside Knott WI for the charity.

 

What is the Affiliation Between the Associated Country Women of the World and the Women's Institute?

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The relationship between the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) and the Women’s Institute (WI) is rooted in shared history, aligned values, and sustained institutional cooperation. Although legally distinct bodies, their affiliation represents one of the most enduring international partnerships within the global rural women’s movement.

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Historical Foundations

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The Women’s Institute began in 1897 in Ontario, Canada, as a grassroots response to the isolation of rural women. Its founding principle was practical education combined with community development and friendship. The model proved scalable and adaptable, spreading throughout Canada and later to the United Kingdom during the First World War.

As WI organisations developed across multiple countries, leaders recognised the need for a formal international structure to coordinate collaboration. This culminated in the formation of the ACWW in 1933 following earlier international conferences of rural women in the late 1920s. A central figure in this development was Madge Robertson Watt, who played a key role in bringing the WI movement to Britain and later championing the establishment of a global federation linking similar organisations.

Member Society Status

The affiliation arises because national WI federations are Member Societies of ACWW. This means:

• WI federations pay membership subscriptions to ACWW.

• They send delegates to ACWW world conferences and regional meetings.

• They participate in policy formation and voting within ACWW governance structures.

• They contribute financially and operationally to ACWW development projects.

Through this arrangement, individual WI members become indirectly connected to ACWW’s international programmes.

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Advocacy and Representation

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ACWW holds consultative status at the United Nations and represents rural women’s interests in international policy forums. Through their national federations’ membership in ACWW, WI members contribute to:

• Policy resolutions on rural development, gender equality, food security, and education.

• International advocacy campaigns.

• Representation of grass roots perspectives at global governance tables.

This extends the WI’s influence beyond national borders.

You can read more about the ACWW and its valuable work here: https://acww.org.uk/

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