The ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier (WWCQ) is the final qualifying event for teams looking forward to participate in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. Besides the host nation South Africa; Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Bermuda, Ireland, Pakistan, Scotland and the Netherlands were all contending for the two remaining available slots that will take them to the tournament in Australia in 2009. The tournament had originally been arranged to take place in Lahore in November 2007 but was postponed for security reasons and the decision was later made to move the event to Stellenbosch, South Africa from 18th to 24th February 2008.

South Africa and Pakistan claimed the final two slots of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup by reaching the final of the event. South Africa emerged victorious after restricting Pakistan to just 61 all out after a fantastic display from all-rounder Alicia Smith (5-7). Pakistan opener Tasqeen Qadeer was the only player who put up any kind of resistance, making 12 off 35 balls.

Meanwhile, defending champion Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies have all earned automatic qualification for the 2009 event following their top-six finish in 2005 when it was held in Pretoria, South Africa.

South Africa and Ireland were not required to qualify for the Stellenbosch tournament after finishing seventh and eighth respectively in the 2005 Women's World Cup.

Zimbabwe, in its debut appearance, qualified for the ICC WWCQ from the Africa Region; Papua New Guinea managed it from the East Asia-Pacific Region; Bermuda came from the Americas Region; Scotland and the Netherlands emerged from the Europe Region and Pakistan got through from the Asia Region.

The Women's World Cup was first played in England in 1973. Australia is the current holder of the trophy having beaten India in the final of the last global event in 2005 which was played in South Africa.