Welcome to the International Association of Women’s Museums.

Who we are …

The International Association of Women's Museums (IAWM) is an organization with its administrative office in Merano (IT). Founded in 2008 in Merano, the network was transformed into an association in Alice Springs in 2012. IAWM is led by six board members from different continents. The chairwoman is Mona Holm (NO). Gaby Franger (D) is the association’s interim honorary executive manager. 

“Women’s museums make change possible because we have knowledge, initiative, aspirations, creativity, and unity in our desire for an equal future. Women are unlimited in what we can achieve.”

Nhung Le Cam, Vietnamese Women's Museum

What we do…

IAWM works as juncture network and as a central contact point for mediation for women's museums and initiatives. It promotes culture, arts, education and training from a gender perspective.

Furthermore, IAWM fosters exchange, networking, mutual support and global cooperation among women's museums. Conducting research and the development of projects, exhibitions, new initiatives, community activities, seminars and conferences are other activities. 

“We as women’s museums enrich the concepts of museums through creative and attractive feminist ways, we feel obliged to be spaces for diversity and inclusion, we make visible the varying experiences of woman- and girlhood.”

Meral Akkent, Istanbul Kadin Müzesi / Istanbul Women’s Museum

“IAWM allows the forgotten stories of brave women throughout history to stay alive and continue to shape the future of our world.”

Shirin Ebadi, Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 and official godmother of IAWM

“Even initiatives of women’s museums can change the view on women and her situation in the world.”

Martha Beéry, IG Frau und Museum, Switzerland

Our goal …

IAWM is working to promote and strengthen the acceptance of women's museums, to promote their global cooperation and mutual support, and to achieve international recognition in the world of museums. 

“The women's museum can create a public sphere through its performative activities to advocate gender equality discourse.”

Mansoureh Shojaee, The Museum of Iranian women's movement, irwmm.org

“Women's Museums make the invisible women of history visible; showing great women of the past to inspire great women of the future.”

Terri Bell-Halliwell, InVISIBLEwomen