In the twenty-first century, a critical mass of women leaders have achieved positions of influence in government, business, international organizations, the arts, the media, academia and religious life. Many of these women have used their positions of influence to protect and empower the lives of others at the local, national, and global level. Such women have expressed the need for spaces in which to dialogue and collaborate on issues that affect the lives of people at risk around the globe. By addressing common issues that transcend perceived cultural, religious, sectoral and generational divides, the Women Leaders Intercultural Forum (WLIF) aims to leverage the efforts of such women to raise greater public awareness about global human security concerns and serve as a catalyst for collaborative action.

WLIF is a joint initiative launched by Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative (RR); the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL); the Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace (WLP); and Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).