The International Women’s Forum (IWF) announced to it’s members that, on the recommendation of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it has been granted ‘Special Consultative Status’ to the United Nations on the issue of the protection and growth of women's leadership.

As part of its Special Consultative Status, IWF and its selected representatives located in UN headquarters in New York and offices in Geneva and Vienna will be asked to:

• Provide expert analysis in the field of women's leadership
• Serve as consultative advisor on critical issues affecting women's leadership
• Help raise public awareness of relevant issues relating to women's leadership
• Play a major role in advancing United Nations goals and objectives in regards to women's leadership