credit unwomen.org
International Women's Day
Celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women
credit unwomen.org
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day, celebrated every year on 8 March, also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 campaign theme is Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.
As we begin the second quarter of the 21st century, no nation has closed the legal gaps between men and women. Right now, in 2026, women have only 64 per cent of the legal rights that men hold worldwide. In fundamental areas of life, including work, money, safety, family, property, mobility, business, and retirement – the law systematically disadvantages women. From harmful social norms to discriminatory laws, women and girls continue to face entrenched obstacles – even pushback – to equal justice. If progress continues at its current pace, it will take 286 years to close legal protection gaps. That is not a timeline, it’s surrender.
The IWD 2026 campaign is a call for action to dismantle the structural barriers to equal justice: discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, and harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls.
credit unwomen.org
International Women's Day 2024 event
The University's Women's Network proudly celebrated International Women's Day 2024 with an event on Friday 8 March 2024.
This was a free event for staff and students of all genders to celebrate the theme #inspireinclusion and included inspiring internal and external guest speakers, a Q&A session, informal networking and a variety of optional workshops.
Staff and students were also invited to nominate a woman who inspired them (whether this is a colleague or student) and/or a male colleague or student who is an ally that supports and advocates for gender equality.
Inspirational women
Celebrating women's roles in the University and beyond
For International Women's Day 2020, we reflected on the stories, achievements and roles of women at the University.
