About

The Council of Women World Leaders is a network of 84 current and former presidents and prime ministers. It is the only organization in the world dedicated to women heads of state and government.

Established in 1996

The Council of Women World Leaders is a network of 84 current and former women prime ministers and presidents established in 1996 by Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, President of Iceland (1980-1996) and first woman in the world to be democratically elected president, Mary Robinson, President of Ireland (1990-1997), and Laura Liswood, Secretary General.

Our Goal

The Council’s mission is to mobilize the highest-level women leaders on issues of critical importance to women. Through its networks, programs and partnerships, the Council promotes good governance and gender equality, and enhances the number and visibility of women who lead their countries. The Council’s goal is to use the symbolic importance of women leaders and the substantive experience of its members to support women’s full participation and representation in the political process at the highest levels, and future women leaders.

The Council of Women World Leaders' Secretariat

Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Chair and Prime Minister of Iceland

H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir assumed the role of Prime Minister of Iceland on November 30, 2017 and is currently Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders.

Laura Liswood
Secretary General, Council of Women World Leaders

In August 1996, Liswood co-founded the Council of Women World Leaders. Laura Liswood is an international, award-winning speaker who conveys her insights regarding leadership, diversity, women in politics, and business to both large and small audiences.

Elizabeth Cousens
President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Nations Foundation

Elizabeth Cousens became the UN Foundation’s third President and Chief Executive Officer in 2020, leading the Foundation’s next generation of work to support the United Nations.

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