International Women’s Day: A Call for Gender Equality
International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8 March to honour the achievements of women worldwide and to highlight the ongoing fight for gender equality. The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is #GiveToGain, focusing on driving gender equality through collective action.
The first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States on 28 February 1909, marking the beginning of a global movement. The idea for International Women’s Day was coined in 1910 by German women’s rights activist Clara Zetkin, and the first official International Women’s Day took place in 1911. Since 1975, the United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day, further solidifying its significance on a global scale.
Despite progress, challenges remain. In 2024, only 14% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with employees in the UK were female-led, a decrease of 1% from 2023. Furthermore, the median gender pay gap for full-time employees in the UK was reported at 6.9% in 2025, illustrating the persistent economic disparities faced by women.
Women are also more likely to experience discrimination in the workplace. In 2025, women were nearly twice as likely as men to report feeling discriminated against due to their gender. This reality underscores the importance of initiatives that promote gender equality and support women’s rights.
FORVIA, a company committed to improving gender representation, aims to reach 30% women in the Top 300 and 35% women among managers and skilled professionals by 2030. Currently, women represent more than 28% of the Top 300 at FORVIA, a significant increase from 13% in 2018. Additionally, the company aims to achieve 38% women among external hires by 2026.
Judit Mora, a representative from FORVIA, stated, “We approach IWD as a prompt for action and conversation rather than a one-day celebration.” This sentiment reflects a growing awareness that International Women’s Day should serve as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and initiatives rather than a mere acknowledgment of women’s achievements.
As the date approaches, observers expect a renewed focus on gender equality and the need for systemic change. The ongoing dialogue surrounding women’s rights and gender equality is crucial, as it fosters environments where women can thrive and contribute fully to society. Supporting spaces that promote learning and visibility for women is essential, as highlighted by Mora: “Supporting spaces like this matters to us because it helps create opportunities for learning, visibility and shared experience beyond internal conversations.”
The history of Women’s Day traces back to the early 20th century, during a time when women were campaigning for better working conditions, voting rights, and equal pay. The legacy of these early activists continues to inspire current movements for gender equality. As we approach International Women’s Day 2026, the call for collective action remains as urgent as ever.
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