Annual Report
2023

2023
FINANCIAL
AUDIT

ABOUT
GWI

PROGRAMMESRENEW &REBUILDGOALSBOARD OFOFFICERSPROJECTSVISION &MISSION

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Empowering women and girls through lifelong education for leadership, decision-making and peace. GWI, formerly International
Federation of University Women, is in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 1947 andis a nongovernmental organisation maintaining official relations with UNESCO and the International Labour Organisation.
Graduate Women International
Chemin du Balexert 7-9, CH-1291, Chatelaine, Switzerland
E-mail: gwi@graduatewomen.org Website: www.graduatewomen.org
Copyright © 2024 GWI. All rights reserved.

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Table of Conents
About GWI3GWI Board of Officers

4

Vision and Mission

6

Letter from the President

72023 Year-at-a-Glance

9Young Member Network

13

Programmes and Projects, Looking Ahead

15

Letter from the Treasurer

22

GWI Financials

23
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About GWI

Graduate Women International (GWI), founded in 1919 as the International Federation of
University (IFUW), is a worldwide, non-governmental organisation (NGO) comprising of
thousands of women graduates which maintains special consultative status with United
Nations Economic and Social Council since 1947, and who maintains special partnershipstatus with and UNESCO and the International Labor Organisation (ILO).

When Dean Virginia Gildersleeve, Professor Caroline Spurgeon and Rose Sidgewick sat together
in 1918 and conceived the idea of a worldwide organisation uniting university women, they wereconvinced that by fostering friendship and understanding, women graduates could help prevent
another catastrophe such as the World War that had just ended. Their dream became reality thenext year when university women from Great Britain, Canada and the United States met to lay
the foundation for the IFUW. One hundred and four years later thousands of women graduates
throughout the world continue to work on the same principles and vision that inspired thoseearly leaders.

Organisational Structure
GWI is composed of National Federations and Associations (NFAs) in 48 countries as well of
independent members in various additional countries. GWI is an autonomous organisation. GWI’s
headquarter is in Geneva, Switzerland with one staff member, the Executive Director, supported
by interns, coordinating and promoting GWI’s activities.
GWI’s supreme authority lies with the General Assembly. It is governed by a Board of Officers. It
has active committees such as Education, Membership, Resolutions, Finance, Projects, andFellowships. Its Hegg Hoffet Fund provides small short-term grants for displaced women
graduates.

Renew & Rebuild
The remit of the Organisational Development (OD) Steering Committee established before the2023-2025 Board was elected was to create organisational readiness for GWI’s objectives for
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The need to change how GWI works was due to thedrop in membership and income from fees. There were 48 members on the Steering Committee
in different regional groups with shared responsibility and accountability. It was voted on by
the General Assembly (GA). This value proposition was the impetus for Renew & Rebuild as an
Organisational Change strategy for GWI.
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GWI Board of Officers 2023-2025
PATRICE WELLESLEY-COLE

PRESIDENTBRITISH FEDERATION OF WOMEN GRADUATESSHAILA RAO MISTRY

VICE PRESIDENT ADVOCACYWOMEN GRADUATES-U.S.A.

SHIRLEY GILLETT

VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATIONWOMEN GRADUATES NEW ZEALANDUJWALA SHINDE

VICE PRESIDENT LEGAL & GOVERNANCE
INDIAN FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONSMEERA BONDRE

VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIPINDIAN FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONSMILDRED ASMAH

VICE PRESIDENT PROJECTSGHANA ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

4GWI Board of Officers 2023-2025

SUDHA SRIVASTAVATREASURER & YMN PRESIDENT
BRITISH FEDERATION OF WOMEN GRADUATESGWI Executive Director 2016 - Present
STACY DRY LARAEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan

VisionGWI advocates for women’s rights, equality, and empowerment
through access to quality secondary and tertiary education andtraining up to the highest levels. Our vision is 100% of girls andwomen in the world achieving education beyond primary school.
GWI supports gender equality.

Mission
GWI‘s purpose is to:
Promote lifelong education for women and girls;
Promote international cooperation, friendship, peace and respect forhuman rights for all, irrespective of their age, race, nationality, religion,
political opinion, gender and sexual orientation or other status;
Advocate for the advancement of the status of women and girls;
Encourage and enable women and girls to apply their knowledge andskills in leadership and decision-making in all forms of public and private
life, andEnhance skills, education, mentoring, connectivity and support to womenand girls to make them economically independent.

Strategic Plan
Since taking leadership of GWI for the 2023-2025 term, the Boardof Officers developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan,
highlighting their goals and the execution thereof. This Strategic
Plan is a roadmap for implementing the Renew and Rebuild
organisational strategy for GWI.
To access the roadmap click HERE
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Letter from the President

Patrice Wellesley-Cole
President, GWI 2023-2025

Dear GWI Family,
Greetings from North London across the miles in this our anniversary year.
The foundation of successful international NGOs such as ours is People,
Purpose and Passion. To all our National Federations and Associations/NFAs,
Independents and Young Members, Committee Convenors and members, andlocal, national, and regional leadership for your continued support of GWI, myheartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all you do. As a 9,000-strong
membership organisation spanning 70 countries, GWI's positive impact has
been felt worldwide because it empowers and inspires women and girls througheducation.
The Board's Strategic Plan based on the Organisational Development's Renew
and Rebuild pivot is a greater dialogue between GWI and National Federations
and Associations through governance for sustainable development focuses on
attracting and retaining members, SDG4-quality, inclusive education, andworking with the United Nations. Financial literacy and climate change wereidentified as potential projects; seed money from the MOU/Memorandum ofUnderstanding from Donor Dr. Vinaybala Mehta will fund them. Ongoingprojects include Teachers for Rural Futures in Uganda, GlobalGiving - Girls
Education for Brighter Futures, Bina Roy Partners in Development, and Hegg
Hoffet Fund for displaced women.
GWI's contribution to meaningful projects, fellowships, and grants has effected
positive change. Webinars, such as the India Federation of University Women's
Associations and the Canadian Federation of University Women on plastics, anddiscussion networks, such as on green education and international advocacy at
the Commission on the Status of Women 67th session held in New York, where
GWI organised two parallel events.
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Letter from the President, cont.
GWI's Update newsletter, press releases, International Days of Observancemarking, and United Nations statements are Calls to Action. For example, the 27
April press release headlined, "GWI Envisions Young Girls as ICT Creators:
Access to Digital Education is Critical and the written statement to the Human
Rights Council, "The significant role education plays in the success of women's
entrepreneurship: Increasing women's entrepreneurial opportunities improves
the education sector and reduces gender-based inequities in business venture."
The bi-monthly Update newsletter, with a readership near 5000, kept members
and non-members abreast of all GWI news and publications.
In 2023, our Young Member Network (YMN) has demonstrated exceptional
dynamism and leadership, driving impactful initiatives and fostering global
connections among young women. Through their monthly conversation series
and CSW parallel event, the YMN has encouraged young members to takeaction. Their contributions have enriched our organisation's mission andensured a vibrant, forward-thinking community poised to tackle the challenges
of tomorrow.
Like many Boards, we have had our challenges, but we have improvised,adapted, and overcome them. Due to the meticulous and budget-conscious
treasurer and finance committee, FinCom GWI has flourished and achieved
financial stability.
The Board works collectively as a Team. Our work ethic is SMART-S-sustainable,
M-measurable, A-attainable, R-relevant, and T-timed. Optimising working has
led to increased productivity, reduced stress, and enhanced creativity,
ultimately benefiting the GWI family.
Sincere thanks go to the GWI Board, Treasurer, Executive Director, Stacy Dry
Lara, Interns, and GWI United Nations Representatives as we power towards
Agenda 2030 and a successful upcoming 2024.
Patrice Wellesley-ColeGWI President, 2023-20258

Graduate Women International (GWI)
2023 YEAR-AT-A-GLANCEGWI Legacy of Peace: Promoting Peace through Education
A bit of history: Graduate Women International (GWI), founded in
1919, is based on promoting peace between all nations. WWI had
just ended; Dean Virginia Gildersleeve, Professor Caroline
Spurgeon, and Rose Sidgwick sat together in 1918 and conceived
the idea of a worldwide organisation uniting university women,
fostering friendship and understanding to help prevent anothersuch catastrophe.

GWI stands unwavering with women worldwide, fostering solidarityand education, recognizing women's role in peace building, andcontributing to a more harmonious and non-violent future.

GWI at the United Nations
GWI actively participated in three Human Rights Councils (Geneva), Commission on
the Status of Women (CSW), Economic and Social Council, High-Level Political Forum,
Commission for Social Development, Sustainable Development Goal Summit, UNICEF(New York); Conference on NGOs and UNESCO (Paris); Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice (Vienna), and more.
Submitted 7 written statements and delivered 1 oral intervention to the United Nations and its
mechanisms.
Actively participated in CSW67, submitting 1 written statement garnering 12 cosponsors.
Organised 2 CSW67 parallel events, with GWI affiliates organising 4 more.
Submitted 3 comprehensive recommendations for GWI affiliates under review by the Committee
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Represented GWI at the Business and Human Rights session and Expert Mechanism on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples session at the United Nations of Geneva
Some 20 reports covering United Nations attendances submitted by GWI United Nations
Representatives in Geneva, New York, Paris and Vienna.
GWI continued serving as President, NGO Committee on Human Rights and Senior Advisor to
the NGO CSW Geneva Bureau.
GWI thanks United Nations representatives Maureen Byrne, Maryella Hannum, Elisabeth Francis,
Reinhild Strauss, Dominique Ciavatti, Eliane Didier, and Helen Lom for their contributions.
Join a GWI affiliate today at www.graduatewomen.org

9© 2023 Graduate Women International

2023 Year-at-a-Glance
GWI Membership

GWI fosters an active and engaged member community.
Successfully onboarded independent members from 35 countries. Maintained National
Federations and Associations (NFAs) in 48 countries.
Facilitated 7 engaging member Discussion Network dialogs on topics critical to women and girls’
relevant topics, such as for World Teachers’ Day.
Membership Marketplace continued the successful Spanish-Speaking Culture Bridge NFA-toNFA Project, commenced the Connexion Francophone Project, and held a 4-part Japanese
Language and Culture course as a Peer-to-Peer activity.
Organised 12 webinars, with participation from 609 members; 95% of webinar participants
would recommend GWI’s webinars.
GWI affiliates in Switzerland (Basel and Geneva sections) and South Africa
celebrated 100 years. Women Graduates-USA celebrated 15 years.

Young Member Network (YMN)GWI YMN is comprised of passionate pro-active female change-makers from over 25 countries across theglobe, advocating for issues impacting young women/girls. Under the leadership of YMN President,
Sudha Srivastava, 2023 highlights of the network include:
More than 20 new young members joined in 2023; all YMN receive regular communications via the YMNPresident’s Letter who also shares important news/opportunities with the network.
Hosted YMN parallel event at CSW67 titled, “Gender Equality in Digital Educaiton: Young Women and
Financial Challenges”.
5 young members, including YMN President Sudha Srivastava, participated in CSW67 in New York in-person.
YMN celebrated International Youth Day 2023 taking centre stage with a video project under the theme,“Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World”.
Launched a new YMN monthly Conversation Series titled, “Growing Together”.
Hold regular Meet & Greet session for new members.

Join a GWI affiliate today at www.graduatewomen.org

10© 2023 Graduate Women International

2023 Year-at-a-Glance

GWI Communications

GWI International Advocacy

GWI’s mission is propelled forward through arobust communication and social media
strategy that includes multiple weekly
informational posts, marking of significant
international Days of Observance, and press
releases, all that passionately foster GWI’s
104-year mission of peace through education.

In tandem with activities at United Nations
campuses, GWI executes a comprehensive
global advocacy strategy.

Posted some 1100 social media posts
published across Facebook, Instagram, X,
and LinkedIn.

Produced Hate Speech Policy Paper withsupport from UN Under-Secretary-Generalon the Prevention of Genocide.

Audience engagement on Facebook andInstagram increased by 23%, while theUpdate newsletter engagement reached40%, documenting a 5% increase since2022.

Ran the “UNITE: Educate to End Violenceagainst Women and Girls” poster
campaign for the 16 Days of Activism
against Gender-Based Violence.

Published 8 press releases highlighting GWI
critical viewpoints on education.

Marked 23 annual Days of Observance,with messaging powerful messaging aimed
to reduce barriers in education .

Distributed 26 Update newsletters, totalingsome 210 informational write-ups.

Published 10 infographics in furtherance
Days of Observance, of which 6 werefeatured on the Women’s United Nations
Report Network.

GWI Projects and Grants
Teachers for Rural Futures

Onboarded 2 new students. Three student teachers participatedin summer student teaching practice.

Hegg Hoffett Committee

Hegg Hoffet Committee reviewed nearly 50 applications andinterviewed 5 candidates eligible for grants.

Bina Roy Partners in Development

Call for 2024 Bina Roy Partners in Development projects
applications issued. The programme will support 5 new projects.

500+Challenge: Power of Many Empowering Education

Launched 500+Challenge fundraising campaign for the GWI Girls
Education for Brighter Futures programme benefiting 1000s of
women and girls annually.

AwardsNominated by the Royal African Society for the 2024 Earthshot
Environmental Prize.
Join a GWI affiliate today at www.graduatewomen.org

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Teachers for Rural Futures
Student Teachers© 2023 Graduate Women International

2023 Year-at-a-Glance

GWI Leadership, Staff, and Interns
Seven 2023-2025 Board Members

Patrice Wellesley-Cole, President, Mildred Asmah, Vice President, Projects,
Meera Bondre, Vice President, Membership, Shirley Gillett, Vice President, Education,
Shaila Rao Mistry, Vice President, Advocacy, Ujwala Shinde, Vice President, Legal &Governance, Sudha Srivastava, Treasurer

Staff

Stacy Dry Lara, Executive Director

Six 2023 Interns

GWI's mission is fueled by the invaluable support and contributions of its inspiring
2023 interns. We offer appreciation to: (from left to right): Alexis Chelle (U.S.A.),
Salomé Delsaux (France), Paloma Martial (France), Marie Mihalcea (France),
Sophia Schaaper (Netherlands), and Sonia Timalsina (Nepal).

Awarded Top-Ranked and Effective badges
from crowdfunding platform, GlobalGiving.

@GraduateWomenInternational

Join a GWI affiliate today at
www.graduatewomen.org@gradwomen@gradwomen

Graduate Women International12© 2023 Graduate Women International

Young Member Network (YMN)

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Young Member Network (YMN), Events
For the 67th Session of the Commission on the
Status of Women (CSW67), the YMN hosted aninteractive event exploring gender disparities inregards to access of financial technology andadvances in education. The speakers presented
financial challenges, such as the lack of access tobasic digital services, for young women in today’s
digital world in their respective countries. These
disparities are exacerbated for women living inrural areas, with low incomes, or members ofindigenous communities. Conflicts and an
unstable economies also present barriers. Thesefour speakers successfully identified root causes
and solutions for financial barriers and technicalchallenges. The presentations were followed bybreakout sessions where suggestions were madeto address the weaknesses of current solutions.

This meet and greet was an important
opportunity for all young members tovirtually meet each other, share theirinterests, and discuss opportunities tocollaborate. Since there were many new
members, this was also an opportunity tolearn about YMN, goals, programme of
events, and, more importantly, share how
best you can actively participate and thevarious ways young members can utilise
GWI platforms, internationally.
GWI’s YMN launched a monthly conversation
series, with the inaugural session held following
the Meet & Greet. This new initiative has thetheme of “Growing Together” and is “By Young
Members, For Young Members” open to all GWIYoung Members from NFAs and Independent
Members. Every month, YMN spotlights two
young members who share their work andexpertise and offer collaboration opportunities
with the other members. This second session
highlighted the role of young members in GWI.
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Programmes
Teacher For Rural Futures, Associationof University Women Uganda, Ltd.
The Teachers for Rural Futures program, initiated by GWI in 2015, has beenrunning in central Uganda to increase the number of qualified female
student teachers by funding scholarships and mentorship for young womenfrom rural regions and providing them with teacher training anddevelopment at Makerere University in Kampala.
As ambassadors for girls’ education, the students participate in community
engagement to build support in rural communities and encourage girls toremain in school. GWI and Association of University Women Uganda (AUWU)
monitor this commitment and mentor the students during university andafter. The program increases the number of local female role models andmentors for younger girls, making it more likely that they will remain inschool.
This year, the students successfully participated in their Summer Student
Teacher practice. One more student graduated from the programme at theend of the year, totalling six graduates since its inception. The programmealso admitted one new student.

Hegg Hoffet Fund for Displaced Women
Graduates
The Hegg Hoffet Fund assists graduate women (and in special cases tertiary
women students) who have been displaced as a result of war, political
upheaval or other serious emergencies. Some are fleeing gender-related
atrocities in their home countries, such as rape, honour crimes, forced
marriage and female mutilation. Others fear for their lives because of
persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or membership in aparticular social group.
GWI’s Hegg Hoffet Fund provides short-term grants for refresher courses forre-entry into the candidates’ professional field (or if that is not possible,
training courses leading to some other employment), and for language
training and other courses to assist with integration into their new countries.
In addition to financial assistance, GWI’s national and local groups also
provide the graduate refugees with moral support to help them to adjust tolife in a different country.
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PROJECTS - Looking Ahead
Bina Roy Partners in Development
2024-2025 Project Summaries
The Bina Roy Partners in Development (BRPID) programme supports
locally-developed and operated projects initiated by Graduate WomenInternational (GWI) National Federations and Associations (NFAs) aimed toempower women and girls through education and leadership development.
BRPID grants are awarded on a competitive basis to NFAs in countries witha Gross National Income of less than US$12,616 per annum and who are
fully paid members of GWI.
All projects are in line with GWI’s mission towards lifelong education,
advancement and participation in leaderships and decision-making for
women and girls. BRPID began in 1978 and was later renamed in honour ofDr. Bina Roy, educator and former GWI President from India.
BRPID projects have been generously supported by our dedicated donors
and also through contributions from GWI NFAs around the world. For the2024 round of funding, applications were received from Uganda, El
Salvador, Nepal, Senegal, and Egypt.

These BRPID project applications focus on training women for a variety ofskills. In Nepal, the goal is to literacy courses to illiterate women. In Egypt,
provide health and nutrition classes. In Uganda, train women to makereusable sanitary pads. In El Salvador, train women to use AI. Finally, in
Senegal, create green clubs and teach sustainable practices in schools.

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Bina Roy Partners in Development
2024-2025 Project Summaries

817

Bina Roy Partners in Development
2024-2025 Project Summaries

18

Bina Roy Partners in Development
2024-2025 Project Summaries

19

Bina Roy Partners in Development
2024-2025 Project Summaries

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Bina Roy Partners in Development
2024-2025 Project Summaries

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Message from the Treasurer
The 2023 financial report of GWI has now been verified by the licensed auditing
firm PKF. It has been found to comply with Swiss accounting and reporting
recommendations, with Swiss law and with GWI’s Constitution.
The 2023 financial year started with the capital available on 1 January of 83’858
Swiss Francs and the reserve fund of 39’924 Swiss Francs.
GWI continues to exercise tight control over its expenditure to keep in balance with
its income. The GWI office and the Board of Officers continue to run with minimal
operating costs. In 2023, there were no travel reimbursements/expenses for GWI
Board of Officers except the GWI Executive Director’s expenses to CSW67 New
York. In 2023, GWI had a membership of 47 National Federations and Associations
as well as Independent Members in 20 additional countries.
GWI continues to receive general donations and restricted funds donations.
Despite relatively less income from dues and donations, GWI had been able toreduce the negative results better than expected. In 2023, GWI was able to pay a
reduced fee for the audit compared to previous years. The Board of Officers andthe Executive Director continue to focus on finding other sources of revenue in
addition to the GWI membership fees so that the organisation can continue andenlarge its mission of promoting the education and advancement of women andgirls worldwide.
In 2023, there were two new students accepted to the Teachers for Rural Futures(TFRF) Programme in rural Uganda, and each received a laptop. One student
finished her studies in December 2023 following the graduation in January 2024.
GWI supports accommodation for this program in addition to the regular stipend.
During summer 2023, students participated in a student teacher practiceprogramme after which they have gained more confidence and knowledge to apply
to their teaching.
The Finance Committee scrutinized and approved the budget and the quarterly
financial reports of 2023, a well-established procedure before being reviewed andvoted on by the Board of Officers. I would like to thank the Finance Committee
Convenor and members for their diligent work and commitment. This cooperation
strengthens control over GWI's financial situation. Also, I extend my thanks to theBoard of Officers, the Executive Director and the bookkeeper for their cooperationand support.
Sudha Srivastava
GWI Treasurer 2023-2025
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GWI 2023 Financials
Contents

Auditor’s Report 2023

25

Balance Sheet

26

Statement of Revenues and Expenses

27

Notes to the Financial Statements

29

Movements in Restricted Funds

33

Movements in General Reserve Fund34

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Message from the Executive Director
Dear GWI Members, Current Supporters, and Future Collaborators:
Greetings from the GWI headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. I hope you find the 2023
annual report informative and insightful.
The year 2023 was characterized by international advocacy, partnerships, andsisterhood among GWI members. Over the past year, GWI expanded its reach andimpact, positively affecting the lives of immeasurable women and girls across many
countries. By implementing targeted initiatives spoken to in this annual report andcultivating strategic partnerships, we have empowered women with the education andskills essential for success in both academic and professional pursuits. Our endeavors
have not only addressed immediate challenges but also contributed to systemicchange, thereby promoting gender equality in education and professional spheres.
By advocating for policies that support inclusive education and equitable
opportunities, GWI continues to lead by example on the global stage. Looking ahead,
GWI remains unwavering in its commitment to advancing gender equality througheducation. Together with our dedicated members and partners, we will continue toinnovate and drive meaningful progress toward a future where all women and girls
have the opportunity to realise their full potential.
I express my gratitude to the Board of Officers, Committees, United Nations
representatives, members, interns, and partners for your continuous support anddedication to GWI’s mission. In 2024, GWI will celebrate 105 years. This is a milestone
we are very proud of and one not reached by many organisations. Your contributions
are indispensable to GWI’s work for the next 105 years, and I sincerely appreciate yourpartnership in the advancement of gender equality though the safe access to
education and lifelong learning.
With appreciation and kind regards,
Stacy Dry LaraGWI Executive Director 2016-

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