The Swedish Women's Association for the Defence of the Fatherland (Swedish: Svenska kvinnoföreningen för fosterlandets försvar or Svenska Quinnoföreningen för fosterlandets försvar), was founded in Stockholm on 9 April 1884. The founders of the association wanted to promote patriotism, a desire for Swedish national defence, and raise money for various defence purposes.[1]
The association's first undertaking was to raise money for the purchase of land surrounding Karlsborg Fortress to strengthen its defences.[2] Young people who were members of volunteer shooting clubs were sponsored by the provision of weapons and ammunition. The organisation also supported the Landstorm, a militia and territorial defence force created in Sweden in 1885.[3]
The association gave lectures, distributed patriotic and pro-defence literature, and organised lotteries, bazaars, defence parties and similar events.[4]
It was founded by a group of women including Lotten von Plomgren, who was its president from 1884 to 1914,[5] and Augusta Wästfelt, who was its secretary from 1884 to 1920.
The association was dissolved in 1970 and a fund was established from it remaining assets, which are administered by the Svenska lottakåren, the Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Organization. The fund supports prizes in connection with shooting competitions. The prizes must be engraved with ‘Svenska Kvinnoföreningen för Fosterlandets Försvar, Hederspris’.