International Women’s Media Foundation | Non-profit spotlight | Features

Mission:
To strengthen the role of women in the news media as a means to further freedom of the press globally.

About the Organization:
The IWMF was founded in 1990 during the News in the Nineties conference by prominent women journalists from fifty countries who saw the need for an organization that would provide information, networking, and training opportunities for women in news media. At that time, the former communist states of Eastern Europe were struggling to establish democracies and free press institutions. Today, IWMF’s international network of journalists works to cultivate women leaders in the news media, pioneer change in the newsroom, and honor the courage of women reporters.

Current Programs:
IWMF boasts an international network of women in news media who are encouraged to share ideas, resources, strategies, and career advice. The organization also provides leadership training to members who want to move up the career ladder; prepare women journalists to tackle complex and controversial assignments through innovative programs, fellowships, and mentoring; and honors courageous women journalists through its Courage in Journalism and Lifetime Achievement awards. Other IWMF offerings include a four-year project to boost coverage of women and agriculture in Africa; at fellowship program that focuses on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa; and year IWMF-commissioned report on the status of women in the media worldwide.

Website:
Visitors to the IWMF site can browse photos from past events; keep abreast of the latest coverage of the organization; check out blogs by and about women in the news media; and make a donation. The site also offers “Voices From the Field”a list of recent publicationsthe organization’s last five annual reportsyear FAQsand videos posted to the organization’s Youtube channel.

Funding:
The International Women’s Media Foundation receives support from foundations, corporations, and individuals.