World YWCA
World YWCA is a Swiss-headquartered nonprofit federation coordinating 100+ member associations that deliver women's leadership, advocacy, and safe-space programming to over 25 million women and girls annually across 100+ countries, funded by donations and institutional grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1894
- HeadquartersSaconnex, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What World YWCA does
World YWCA is a Swiss-incorporated nonprofit federation and the global coordinating body of the YWCA movement, headquartered at 16 L'Ancienne-Route in Grand-Saconnex, Geneva. Founded as a world body in 1894 (with national YWCA roots dating to 1855 in England), it links 100+ national and local member associations that collectively engage more than 25 million women, young women, and girls each year across 100+ countries and supported 73.7 million people between 2019 and 2023. The organization's purpose is to advance women's leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, violence prevention, and intergenerational feminist organizing, anchored by the Goal 2035 ambition to empower 100 million young women and girls.
The portfolio is built around signature methodology guides (RiseUp! Young Women's Transformative Leadership, the Safe Spaces Guide, the Feminist Consultation Methodology, the Storytelling Guide, and the 2025 Intergenerational Triangle), global programs such as YW4A (Young Women for Awareness, Advocacy, and Accountability) and RiseUp! Asia-Pacific, annual campaign toolkits (Week Without Violence, World YWCA Day, Week of Prayer), a #BulletAndDove podcast, and a member portal at docs.worldywca.org. Distribution is federation-based: the Geneva secretariat sets strategy and produces toolkits, while 100+ member associations deliver programming locally through 130,000+ volunteer leaders. Technology is conventional: a WordPress website, PayPal and TWINT donation processing, wire transfers in four currencies, and mainstream social channels (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr).
Revenue is generated entirely through donations and grants, with no products or services sold. Funding streams include individual online and offline donations in EUR/CHF/AUD/USD, recurring and planned gifts, the US-based World Service Council 501(c)(3) affiliate for tax-exempt US giving, and institutional grants from governments (Australian DFAT, Finland MFA), faith-based agencies (Norwegian Church Aid, Christian Aid, Bread For The World, World Council of Churches), and foundations. Governance is exercised through a 20-member World Board elected by the World Council every four years; Casey Harden has served as CEO/General Secretary since January 2019, and Mira Rizeq was re-elected Board President at the November 2023 World Council.
World YWCA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- World YWCA
- Legal name
- World YWCA
- Website
- https://worldywca.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1894
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- World YWCA is a Swiss-headquartered nonprofit federation coordinating 100+ member associations that deliver women's leadership, advocacy, and safe-space programming to over 25 million women and girls annually across 100+ countries, funded by donations and institutional grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
World YWCA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Women's Rights Movement
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (BPADAGAF)
Keywords
Where World YWCA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saconnex
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
World YWCA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Online donations via website (PayPal), offline donations by check or wire transfer in multiple currencies (EUR, CHF, AUD, USD). Recurring gifts available.
- Institutional Grants: Funding from institutional donors including governments (Australian Government DFAT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland), religious organizations (Norwegian Church Aid, Christian Aid), and foundations (Bread For The World, World Council of Churches).
- World Service Council: US-based 501(c)(3) organization providing tax-exempt giving option for US donors supporting World YWCA.
- Planned Giving and Special Gifts: In-kind donations, stock donations, and planned gifts available through direct contact with World YWCA office.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
World YWCA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
World YWCA is a global women's rights movement and federation of national YWCA associations operating in more than 100 countries. Its core offering is the empowerment of women, young women, and girls through leadership training, advocacy for gender equality, safe-space community programs, and targeted initiatives on HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual and reproductive health, peace-building, and sustainable development. Programming is delivered through member associations, community-based activities, and international advocacy at forums such as the United Nations.
Product overview
World YWCA operates as a global nonprofit movement organization (not a traditional technology product company) offering a portfolio of advocacy programs, training guides, campaign toolkits, and digital platforms. The core offerings include the RiseUp! Young Women's Leadership Program (with regional initiatives in Asia-Pacific), the YW4A (Young Women for Awareness, Advocacy, and Accountability) global initiative, and a suite of signature tools including the RiseUp! Leadership Guide, Storytelling Guide, Feminist Consultation Methodology Guide, Safe Spaces Guide, and Advocacy Roadmap. These programs and publications are complemented by annual campaign toolkits (Week Without Violence, World YWCA Day, Week of Prayer), podcast series (#BulletAndDove, Advocacy Toolkit Podcast), and digital services (member portal, online donation platform). The organization also provides COVID-19 community resources and strategic planning documents. Together, these offerings support young women's leadership development, gender equality advocacy, and movement-building across over 100 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Women's Leadership Development Programs Training, mentorship, and capacity-building programs that equip women, young women, and girls with leadership skills for community, civic, and professional engagement, delivered through national YWCA associations and community-based groups.
- Gender Equality Advocacy Advocacy initiatives and campaigns advancing gender equality and women's rights at international, regional, and national levels, including engagement with the United Nations and other intergovernmental bodies.
- Safe Spaces Program Community-based safe spaces where women, young women, and girls access support, peer networks, and resources to address gender-based violence, discrimination, and social exclusion.
- HIV/AIDS Awareness and Sexual and Reproductive Health Education Education, awareness, and outreach programs focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and rights, targeted at women, young women, and girls in communities served by YWCA associations.
- Peace-building Programs Programs that engage women and young people in peace-building, conflict resolution, and social cohesion initiatives in communities affected by violence or instability.
- Sustainable Development and Economic Empowerment Programs Initiatives supporting sustainable livelihoods, economic empowerment, and sustainable development outcomes for women and young women through training, resources, and community programs.
- World YWCA Membership and Federation Services Membership services for national YWCA associations, providing access to the global federation, shared programmatic resources, advocacy representation, training, and collective governance of the World YWCA movement.
Quantifiable outcome
- 73.7 million people impacted between 2019-2023, including 33.9 million young women
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use World YWCA
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
World YWCA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
World YWCA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- World Council of ChurchescoreLong-standing ecumenical partnership for faith-based advocacy and joint initiatives on social justice issues affecting women globally.
- World Service CouncilcoreUS-based affiliated organization providing 501(c)(3) status for tax-deductible donations from US supporters.
- SheDecidescoreGlobal movement advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, partnering on advocacy and programmatic initiatives.
- KFUK-KFUM GlobalcoreGlobal Christian youth organization partnership for collaborative advocacy and youth programming.
- Accountable NowcoreGlobal platform for civil society accountability, supporting World YWCA's commitment to transparency and responsibility.
- ACT AlliancecoreGlobal coalition of churches and agencies engaged in humanitarian, development, and advocacy work.
- ECOSOC (United Nations)coreUnited Nations Economic and Social Council granted World YWCA consultative status for participation in UN processes.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
World YWCA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Plan International: Plan International is a multinational NGO advancing children's rights and gender equality in 80+ countries, with strong programs on girls' empowerment, SRHR, and GBV prevention. It is a substantial peer in scale and programmatic portfolio, particularly in the "safe spaces" and adolescent girls space.
- UN Women: UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is a much larger intergovernmental counterpart to World YWCA, sharing overlapping mandates on women's leadership, SRHR, GBV prevention, and global advocacy, and operating with a similar global reach.
- International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF): IPPF is a global federation of national family planning associations delivering SRHR services in 120+ countries. World YWCA partners with IPPF-aligned movements (e.g., SheDecides) and shares overlapping programmatic priorities on SRHR advocacy and young women's bodily autonomy.
- CARE International: CARE International is a major global humanitarian and development organization working in 100+ countries, with a strong focus on women's economic empowerment, GBV, and SRHR. It is comparable in geographic reach and in the depth of its gender-focused programmatic work.
- Amnesty International: Amnesty International is a leading global human rights organization with consultative ECOSOC status and presence in 150+ countries. World YWCA shares the human-rights framing, ECOSOC access, and global advocacy model, though Amnesty's scope is broader than women-specific.
Emerging players
- Women for Women International: Women for Women International supports women survivors of war and conflict in countries including South Sudan, Nigeria, and Kosovo — geographies where World YWCA also operates. Both organizations share a direct-service-plus-advocacy model targeting marginalized women in fragile settings.
- Women Deliver: Women Deliver is a global advocacy organization focused on gender equality and the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women. It is a peer in convening power and youth-led advocacy, and World YWCA staff have previously worked there, reflecting close programmatic overlap.
- International Women's Development Agency (IWDA): IWDA is an Australian-based women's rights organization and is funded by the same Australian DFAT channels as World YWCA. Both focus on resourcing feminist movements in the Asia-Pacific and share a similar funder overlap.
Direct peers
- WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts): WAGGGS is a global movement of 10 million girls and young women in 150+ countries, focused on youth leadership, gender equality, and community impact. It is the most structurally analogous organization to World YWCA — a federated, faith-tinged, century-old global movement empowering young women.
Others
- ACTA Alliance: ACT Alliance is a global coalition of 140+ churches and faith-based agencies engaged in humanitarian, development, and advocacy work, of which World YWCA is a member. It is comparable in faith-based convening model and global development footprint, though broader in mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
World YWCA social profiles
Digital presenceWorld YWCA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
World YWCA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
World YWCA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
World YWCA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about World YWCA
What does World YWCA do?
World YWCA is a global women's rights movement and federation of national YWCA associations operating in more than 100 countries. Its core offering is the empowerment of women, young women, and girls through leadership training, advocacy for gender equality, safe-space community programs, and targeted initiatives on HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual and reproductive health, peace-building, and sustainable development. Programming is delivered through member associations, community-based activities, and international advocacy at forums such as the United Nations.
Is World YWCA a public or private company?
World YWCA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was World YWCA founded?
World YWCA was founded in 1894. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is World YWCA based?
World YWCA is headquartered in Saconnex, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does World YWCA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are institutional Grants, world Service Council and planned Giving and Special Gifts.
Who are World YWCA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Plan International, UN Women, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), CARE International and Amnesty International. Emerging players are Women for Women International, Women Deliver and International Women's Development Agency (IWDA). WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) is listed as a direct peer. ACTA Alliance is listed as an others.
Does World YWCA have an API?
No public API is recorded for World YWCA.
What industry is World YWCA in?
World YWCA's product category is Nonprofit Women's Rights Movement. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAF, Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment, with a secondary code of BPADAGAF, Gender Equality & Women’s Rights. Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8600.