Experience the Strength of Women Working Together

The root of BPW’s advocacy is embedded in the work with the United Nations. BPW lobbied for the formation of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and supported many women’s issues. BPW was awarded a Peace Messenger Certificate from UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar in 1987. Esther Hymer, the BPW representative at the UN, was the first Chair of the NGO CSW committee and was named as one of three women playing a significant role in the work of the UN Commission by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1997.

The International Federation of Business and Professional Women is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has had Consultative Status with the United Nations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1947. At present, there are a total of twenty-one members serving as representatives of IFBPW at the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and related organizations.

Today, BPW continues its representation at UN Headquarters in New York, Vienna, and Geneva; UN regional offices (UNECA, UNECE, UNESCAP, UNESCWA, UNECLAC); UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, WHO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, FAO, UN DPI; Council of Europe; European Women’s Lobby and continues to work closely with UN Women.

BPW Clubs contribute to society by enabling women to sustain themselves economically. In addition, BPW offers personal development programs for members such as mentoring, leadership and training. BPW Clubs worldwide (including BPW Ontario and BPW Canada) have helped thousands of women to become economically empowered. For more information, please visit https://www.bpw-international.org