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International Women’s Day 2026

20 Feb 2026

Give to Gain – and Stand for Rights, Justice and Action for ALL Women and Girls

Image of colleagues from last year's IWD celebration

Each year, International Women’s Day (IWD) invites people across the globe to reflect on how far we’ve come in advancing gender equality,  and how far we still need to go. In 2026, our university proudly joins this global movement.  The day is a powerful reminder that when we give support, opportunities, visibility, resources, or mentorship to women and girls, we multiply impact for all. 

About the 2026 Themes 

  • Give to Gain is the global theme, encouraging individuals and organisations to consider how acts of generosity – sharing time, knowledge, opportunities, or advocacy – create collective progress.
  • Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls is the UN Women’s theme – calling for renewed global commitment to gender justice and meaningful action to dismantle the systemic barriers that continue to affect women and girls, particularly those who face intersecting inequalities. 

Together, these themes highlight that progress requires both generosity and accountability, and that every contribution matters.

Get involved with IWD 2026

Our International Women’s Day Celebration is a flagship event – open to colleagues and students of all genders – highlighting collaborative learning, action and achievements across our community. With opening remarks from Professor Duncan Ivison, guest speakers including Kate Green (Deputy Mayor of Manchester), Professor Rachel Cowen (our Academic Lead for Gender and Sexual Orientation) and Professor Aline Miller( Associate Vice-President for Enterprise), and an open Q&A with senior leaders, this is not to be missed.

When: Wednesday 4 March, 1-4pm

Where: Nancy Rothwell Building, Lecture Theatre A (2A.040) or join virtually 

Attendees are encouraged to share an achievement from the past year in their event registration — a way of ensuring women’s contributions are visible to senior leadership, colleagues, and the wider University community. 

Other events happening 

A University that Gains when we Give

Rachel Cowen, Academic EDI Lead for Gender and Sexuality: 

“We all have a part to play in shaping a world where women and girls can thrive. When men and women stand together to challenge harmful norms and champion inclusion, we change not only individual lives but the collective future — because when women’s rights advance, everyone gains.” 

Around campus, women continue to lead groundbreaking research, shape innovation, cultivate inclusive teaching, build community, and drive institutional change 

Just one example is our collaboration with the 100 Black Women Professors course and the Women in Higher Education Network, which has just hit the important milestone of 100 Black Female Professors. This means the number of Black women professors in UK Higher Education has more than tripled in five years. The University has played a sustained role in this, having supported 13 Academic and Research colleagues, and 12 PhD students since the pilot in 2021, with a further 7 on the programme in 2026. 

What can you do? 

  • Get involved with our colleague network, Women@Manchester, whose aim is to learn from, work with and support each other’s careers and the conditions for success whilst in parallel continuing to accelerate gender equity.
  • Sign up for our Manchester Gold mentoring scheme, either as a mentor or a mentee, empowering colleague growth and encouraging the sharing of invaluable experience
  • Sign up for one of our EDI leadership programmes, including Aurora and 100 Black Women Professors Now (both only available to women and non-binary colleagues)
  • Challenge stereotypes and bias, including completing our active bystander training here
  • Create accessible, inclusive environments – our EDI Staffnet site is a good place to start for guidance and resources