The International Women's Democrat Union (IWDU) was formed at the 17th Executive Committee meeting of the International Democrat Union in Vienna, January 1990. It was formally launched in Toronto in July 1990. The IWDU functioned to bring together the various women's groups from the European Democrat Union, Pacific Democrat Union and Caribbean Democrat Union under one umbrella organisation. Its primary objectives included 'To provide a link for women supporting Christian, Conservative and like-minded political parties worldwide' and 'To encourage and promote the participation of women in politics and the political process'. The IWDU Chairman was a member of the IDU Executive Committee.