The Pan-African Women's Organization (PAWO, Organisation Panafricaine des Femmes, (OPF)) was founded as the African Women's Union in 1962. In 1974, the organization changed its name to the Pan-African Women's Organization. It was originally formed as an organization to fight against colonialism and racial discrimination and allow women across Africa to unite in their efforts for gaining socio-economic equality. Independence and an end to Apartheid, shifted the organizational goals toward human rights and peace activism. It is currently headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.