The International Women's Association
of Prague (IWAP) is made up of a group of approximately 300 women from over 35 different countries. The association is an
independent, non-political, non-profit making organization, whose purpose is to welcome all women living in the Czech Republic.
IWAP is a member of "Open Door", an association of seventy groups throughout the world.
IWAP gives all its members the opportunity to widen their social
circles and to enhance their cultural experiences in Prague through various activities. Our members range from 20 to 70+ years
in age and everybody is invited and encouraged to bring their own skills to IWAP by volunteering to help with the running
of the association or on specific projects. There is also the opportunity to learn new skills such as desktop publishing and
book-keeping.
The IWAP Executive
Board is led by the president, vice-president and treasurer. Other board members are responsible for coordinating the charity
group, advertising, public relations, membership, interest groups, social and cultural events, the webpage, running the evening
group meetings, the editing and layout of the monthly Bridge magazine and for welcoming newcomers. All the Board members are
volunteers.
There are over thirty
IWAP interest groups including two book clubs, a bridge group, a luncheon club, beadwork, golf, photography and cookery groups.
There are several language conversation groups.
The social and cultural events coordinators organize regular and varied events which are open to all IWAP
members and their partners. These events have recently included lectures about Czech history and culture, visits to the Czech
Parliament, a taster event at a Pilates studio, pumpkin picking outings, cookery demonstrations and
trips to museums and art galleries.
Since
it was founded in 1991, IWAP has provided significant financial and volunteer support to over one hundred charitable organizations
in the Czech Republic. The charities supported include orphanages and foster homes, handicapped children's homes, a hospice
for terminally ill children, breast cancer awareness and the support of disadvantaged and abused women.
The Bridge is a monthly magazine published by IWAP. The articles
in the magazine are written by members and reflect the international nature of the association. The computer program used
to design the magazine gives it a very professional appearance. The magazine is supported entirely by advertising revenue.
The ladies of IWAP are a friendly group who
look forward to welcoming you to one of the General Meetings which are held on the second Tuesday of each month, currently
at the Žofín Garden Restaurant, Slovanský ostrov, Prague 1. Interesting speakers are invited to the meetings
and you will have the opportunity to meet other women who have made their home in Prague, be it temporarily or permanently.
