The IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship is the premier international tournament in Women's ice hockey. It is governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The official world competition was first held in 1990. In 1995 and 1996, in lieu of the world championship, the IIHF Women's Pacific Rim Championship or European Championships were held. As part of an effort to improve competition, the IIHF decided to hold Women's Championships in Olympic years, starting in 2014, but not at the top level.