The Indian Federation of
University Women's Associations (IFUWA) was founded on 24 July, 1920
and affiliated to the International Federation of University Women (IFUW)
in 1921. In 1920 it was called Federation of University Women in
India. Two organizations of university women were already in
existence: The Association of British University Women in India
founded in 1913, with branches in Bombay, Calcutta and Lahore. IFUWA
is one of the oldest members of International Federation of
University Women (IFUW), which has over 80 National affiliates and
members in 120 countries.
The Bombay Presidency Women Graduates Union, founded in 1915, with a
branch in Poona Owing to the pioneering efforts of Cornelia Sorabji,
branches were established in Kodaikanal, Madras and Calcutta between
1920 and 1929. After the partition of India, University Women's
Associations of Delhi, Lucknow, Madras, Nagpur, Poona, Allahabad,
Guntur and Calcutta were formed.
Today there are 14 University Women's Associations in IFUWA. These
are-:
Bangalore, Bombay/ Mumbai , Calcutta, Chennai /
Madras, Chidambaram, Cochin*, Coonoor, Dehradun, Delhi, Guwahati*,
Nagpur, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram* and Vadodara. Note – Star marks
are against 3 Associate Member UWAs.
The Headquarters shift every three years to the city of residence of
the President of IFUWA since 1999 amendment of IFUWA Constitution
with reference to term of office. Dr. Sudha Padhye is IFUWA
President for 2005-2008 and the Headquarters is Mumbai/Bombay for
this Triennium.
IFUWA is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation of University Women (SAARCFUW), comprising Bangladesh,
Nepal, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. India is also member of the
University Women of Asia (UW of Asia), comprising Asian nations,
namely: Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Sri
Lanka and Thailand. Both these are Regional Groups of IFUW.
The purpose of IFUWA is to bind together associations of women
graduates of recognized universities in order to:
1. enable them to take concerted action
2. stimulate the interest of universities in civic and public life
3. facilitate academic endeavor and encourage independent research
through scholarships
4. promote national and international cooperation, particularly on
issues affecting women
5. welcome members of IFUW from other countries on their visit to
India
6. provide links with IFUW, UNESCO and other UN and international
agencies
7. attend IFUW Conferences held every three years in different parts
of the world
8. and assist them in applying for international scholarships
After Miss Piloo Nanavatty attended the IX Triennial Conference of
IFUW in Toronto, in 1947, interest grew in international
participation and many Indian members began serving on IFUW
Committees. In 1971, Dr Bina Roy became the first Asian woman to be
elected to the post of President of IFUW, at the XVII Triennial
Conference in Philadelphia, USA. Prof. Chitra Ghosh was elected
President at the XXIV Triennial Conference in Stanford, USA, in
1992, for the term 1992-1995.