In 1998, a group of American and European women traveled to Nepal to meet and learn about the work of indigenous women's organizations. While there, they awakened to the brutal conditions that women face in places such as Nepal and many countries of the world. Through five young Nepali women, who were working as porters for tourist treks, they learned about local women’s fears of being trafficked or raped. They also learned about the young women’s dreams of learning to read, write and speak English. It was an awakening to the meaning of their own lives and the privileges to which European and North American women are born.

Returning home, these women felt compelled to share their awakening. Wanting to make a difference, they combined efforts and made a grant to the Women's Awareness Center of Nepal (a women's non-government organization or NGO) in Kathmandu. With this grant the five Nepali porter girls were enrolled in the Women’s Awareness Center literacy program. In 2000 the women who had visited Nepal created Jagriti International, using "jagriti" (the Nepali word for "awakening") to symbolize their intention.

Jagriti International provides women opportunities for cultural exchange with women’s organizations around the world. It encourages women to come together to share their ideas and skills. It fosters universal communication and seeks to be the impetus of other women's awakenings.