The George Washington University’s Global Women’s Institute aims to support and improve the situation of women and girls worldwide through research, teaching and engaged service.

Increasingly, the international community has recognized that gender equality and women’s empowerment are critical to economic and human development, and essential for the realization of human rights and dignity. This recognition is evident through government and international development strategies, including the Millennium Development Goals developed by the United Nations.

Understanding that women’s issues span every academic discipline, the Global Women’s Institute is a university-wide initiative that links faculty and students at the George Washington University with international researchers, practitioners, activists and policymakers to support the rights of women and girls worldwide.

As one of the preeminent urban research universities in the nation and the world, the George Washington University is uniquely suited to lead this effort. GW is the home of one of the oldest Women’s Studies Program at a U.S. university, as well as outstanding and committed faculty members who are engaged in pioneering research on global women’s issues in fields as diverse as law, international affairs, public health, public policy, economics, and theater/dance. 

The creation of the GWI represents the university’s commitment to celebrating public service, preparing global citizen-leaders, engaging in policy and informing the global conversations to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.