Internationella Kvinnoföreningen i Malmö (IKF) is a nonprofit organisation for women of all nationalities and backgrounds. We are independent of any political ideology and religion. We are actively promoting gender equality, diversity, integration, inclusion, cultural awareness and encourage women's entrepreneurship spirit.

We have about 300 proud members who chose at their own discretion how much and to what extent they are involved with the organisation. IKF welcomes new members every week.

Personal mentoring, adult education (including learning Swedish), networking, capacity building and much more is offered by IKF to members for free. We also organise social activities such as open house and cultural evenings for the public to join and learn more about us.

Vision

IKF Malmö sees a world where everyone feels equal showing solidarity, mutual respect and enjoys life.

Values
 
All activities of IKF Malmö are grounded on the following core values: democracy, human rights and equality.

The organisation

The work of IKF is represented by project related activities, advocacy activities and core organisational activities such as adult education and public events. Besides 13 employees IKF has also many volunteers who dedicate their time and passion in leading the educational activities called circles.

IKF collaborates with Malmö and Lund Universities and every year we offer students from these two institutions high quality internship opportunities (one per semester). We also have a strong partnership with the Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan and our office is located in their facilities.

Organisation’s activities are monitored by a Board of five members and three substitute members who meet every month.  If necessary, they can also meet in smaller steering groups focusing on specific topics/projects. The annual meeting is IKF's highest decision-making entity and an Annual General Meeting is held at the beginning of each year.

History

It all began in the late 60's when women who came to Sweden as economic migrants from former Yugoslavia were employed for long-term at Kockum factory in Malmö. Back then, there were over 400 women-employees from abroad and they began to wonder about the quality of their life in Sweden: these employees had no social life, no networks and they did not speak the Swedish language. Given these circumstances they asked for help from their peers - Swedish women also working at Kockum. The two sides soon started to meet after work, socialise and at the same time teach/learn how to speak Swedish. Months later, with the support of Kockum who offered the group an apartment in Ribershus and contributed with Swedish ”fika” at every meeting, the foundation was laid for IKF - officially created in 1970.

Today, IKF is an organization that offers a platform for foreign-born women, to widen their networks, enhance their knowledge and skills, and enter the labour market much easier and faster. The organisation is also a social forum where one of the most important tasks is to increase integration and to make women’s voices heard.