The IVHW - General Secretariat (International Federation for Home Economics) is a globally recognized non-governmental organization with consultative status with UN organizations. It is co-initiator of the International Year of the Family and the International Women's Conference in Beijing. It organizes world congresses and promotes household and family as an economic and educational environment for the individual in a social context. It supports education for sustainable development and the UN Development Goals (MDGs).

The Federation has members from more than 60 countries worldwide.