The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) was founded in 1982 when 26 people from North American development agencies, agricultural universities and community organizations gathered to discuss the role of women as agents and beneficiaries of the development process. They started AWID as a professional association in which people concerned with women in development could dialogue across sectors and improve their effectiveness as professionals in this new field. Members would meet every two years at an International Forum and tackle the newest issues and problems in the field.

AWID received funds to create workshops and sessions on the intersections of faith and feminism at its International Forum in October 2005. The International Forum on Women’s Rights is the flagship event of AWID and is in fact widely recognized as the largest, most international space for feminists to organize globally. Held every three years, the Forum brings academics, practitioners, funders and activists together to participate in one of the most highly anticipated and productive working meetings of the gender equality movement.