The European Union of Women (EUW) was established in 1953 with the aim of establishing links between politically-active Christian democratic and conservative women in Europe. The organisation has consultative status with the United Nations and the Council of Europe, and has close links with the International Democrat Union and the European Peoples' Party.

The British Section of the European Union of Women became part of the Conservative Party Organisation in 1972, developing close constitutional links with the Women's National Advisory Committee, and became formally affiliated to the National Union in 1979. Following changes adopted at a special general meeting in 1990, the British Section was integrated more closely into the CWNC structure.