Women Forward International is a global platform for systemic change in international affairs education, reorienting research towards the principals of unity, collaboration, and service. We create unique partnerships that lead to behavioral changes that advance women to advance humanity.  

WFI partners with a range of private sector, academic and non-profit clients to identify research critical to human progress, and then pairs teams of graduate students with these organizations to complete that research and implement solutions. WFI then funds the implementation of the key scholarly recommendations in partnership with the client organizations to achieve both short- and long-term impact.

Women Forward International has partnered with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to amplify the impact of our projects that contribute to making the Sustainable Development Goals a living reality. The research reports are now available on UNITAR’s website along with corresponding webinars featuring expert practitioners from the United Nations and other global institutions. These presentations provide a platform by which stakeholders can learn and implement solutions for systemic change towards the principles of unity, collaboration, and service.

This year’s academic partnerships for the goals with WFI advanced the SDGs in the following ways:

Georgetown University and Women for Afghan Women (WAW) and Women Activities and Social Services Association (WASSA)

Waging Peace in Afghanistan

• Gender Equality
• Reduced Inequalities
• Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Partnerships for the Goals

Harvard University and the Ananda Group

Spurring Growth, Innovation, and Leadership in Mexico

• No Poverty
• Zero Hunger
• Good Health and Well-Being
• Gender Equality
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Climate Action
• Life on Land
• Life Below Water
• Clean Water and Sanitation
• Partnerships for the Goals

Columbia University and Pro Mujer

Bridging the Gap Between Women-Led SMEs and Impact Investors to Move the Needle in Gender Smart Investing in Latin America

• No Poverty
• Gender Equality
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Reduced Inequalities
• Partnerships for the Goals

Stanford University and the International Community

Recommendations for Combatting Human Trafficking in the Balkans

• Gender Equality
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Reduced Inequalities
• Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Partnerships for the Goals

University of California, Berkeley and White Pony Express

Nourishing Minds in the United States: Delivering the Abundance to Those in Need, with Love

• No Poverty
• Zero Hunger
• Good Health and Well-Being
• Gender Equality
• Responsible Consumption and Production
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Reduced Inequalities
• Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Partnerships for the Goals

Sciences Po, Paris, France and Equipopulation

Joining Hands: How Women’s Collectives are Transforming the Culture of West Africa

• Quality Education
• Gender Equality
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Reduced Inequalities
• Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Partnerships for the Goals