Australian Federation of University Women

The Australian Federation of University Women is the voice of graduate women promoting the advancement of women worldwide and their equality of opportunity through initiatives in education, friendship and peace. It is affiliated with the International Federation of University Women.

The Australian Federation of University Women (AFUW) is a member association of the International Federation of University of Women (IFUW). Founded in London in 1919, the IFUW is the international federation of all the associations of university women of various countries, within which each constituent association has its own autonomy. At the first IFUW conference, held in London in 1920, the aim of the Federation was laid out in the Constitution as being 'To promote understanding and friendship between the university women of the nations of the world, and thereby to further their interests and develop between their countries sympathy and mutual helpfulness.' Over the years, the IFUW has been involved in a number of initiatives related to improving the working and living conditions of women around the world.

The AFUW was formally established at the inaugural conference held in Sydney in September 1922. In addition to its involvement with women's issues specific to Australia, the AFUW also adopts IFUW initiatives and applies them at a national level. Amongst other things, the activities of the AFUW have involved the setting up of committees for special projects, the lobbying of Government departments, the presentation of submissions to Government and the holding of conferences, originally biennially but now triennially. The AFUW also administers a number of fellowships, which are awarded to further the studies of successful applicants. Over the years, the AFUW has been involved in a number of important issues relating to the education and employment of women. Activities have included campaigns to obtain equal pay and equal employment opportunities for women and to eliminate discrimination against women in both education and the workforce.