International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026. Sunday 8th March. Celebrating 115 years of IWD
The theme of International Women’s Day this year is Give to Gain. The campaign encourages “a mindset of generosity and collaboration” and emphasises the power of reciprocal support. When people and organisations give generously of themselves, opportunities and support for women increase and enable them to thrive.
The giving of resources such as knowledge, visibility, advocacy, training, mentoring and personal time, all contribute to enabling women to advance and help create a more supportive and connected environment.
Often abbreviated to IWD, the day has grown since its inception in 1911 and now sees significant activity worldwide, with debates, campaigns and more. As well as celebrating the achievements of women around the world, IWD is also an important reminder there is still much more to be done in pursuit of achieving gender equality.
As individuals, giving support may include calling out stereotypical behaviour and views, challenging discrimination, questioning bias and celebrating women’s success.
There are many ways to contribute to the advancement of women, which include giving respect, visibility, knowledge, a voice in decision making, justice and protection.
In the workplace, employers can show their support by their appointment of women to positions of leadership, decision-making and business, and by ensuring they have access to quality meaningful training and mentorship, opportunities for growth and development and being role models.
IWD is a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all who are committed to gender equality. It is a day to recognise women’s achievements and raise awareness about ongoing inequality, with events in the UK highlighting social, cultural, economic, and political progress while campaigning for a more inclusive world for women.
Purple, green and white are the colours of International Women’s Day. Purple signifies justice, dignity and being loyal to the cause. Green symbolises hope and White represents purity. The colours originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.
The yellow Mimosa flower is the worldwide floral emblem of IWD. It was first handed out in Italy in 1946 when IWD was celebrated for the first time in the country after World War 2. In Italy the day is celebrated as Festa della Donna – Celebration of the Woman.
Men as Allies is essential in supporting gender parity
Fact:* It will take an estimated 286 years to close legal protection gaps at the current pace of change. 2026 highlights that women worldwide only have 64% of the legal rights that men hold.
Men can be allies by supporting women in a number of ways, such as addressing inappropriate comments and behaviours, both in the workplace and in public spaces and by using their positions to ensure women’s voices are heard and viewed as credible.
Celebrating Inspirational Women throughout History
There are many amazing women who over the years have changed the world and inspired others. A few of note are Emmeline Pankhurst – British Suffragette Movement; Marie Curie – Polish Physicist; Frida Kahlo – Mexican Artist, Feminism and LGBTQ+ Rights Campaigner; Amelia Earhart – US Aviation Pioneer; and Audrey Hepburn – Belgian Goodwill Ambassador, UNICEF.
In more recent years women such as Margaret Thatcher – First UK Female Prime Minister; Emma Watson – UN Goodwill Ambassador – Launched #HeForShe Campaign; Billie-Jean King – US Campaigner for equality of prize money in tennis; Greta Thunberg – Swedish Environmental Activist; and Hannah Cockcroft – British Paralympian – Bringing Disability Sports to the mainstream, have all continued to raise awareness of equality and opportunity for all.
International Women’s Day is a global day of awareness and celebration, in support of a more equitable and fairer world for all women.
*Source – UN Women
Blog by Joy Sheen
BarwellsHR Team:
Jenny Reardon – Head of BarwellsHR – 01323 435494 – jenny.reardon@barwells.com
Lynn Marlow – HR Adviser – 01323 435493 – lynn.marlow@barwells.com
Joy Sheen – HR Adviser – 01323 435492 – joy.sheen@barwells.com
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