For more than a century (since the first IWD in 1911), it has brought people together across countries and communities to imagine a gender equal world: one free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, where difference is valued and celebrated.
Each year, IWD has themes to inspire action. In 2026, the themes are “Give to Gain” (#GiveToGain) which is a reminder that when we give – our time, knowledge, visibility, advocacy or support – we all gain. Giving is not a subtraction but a multiplication: when women thrive, everyone rises. The UN theme is Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls. Which highlights the urgent need for fair, inclusive and accessible justice for every woman and girl. Too many barriers still exist, from discrimination and bias to systems that don’t meet women’s needs.
So how does this relate to menopause and menstruation? For too long, menopause and menstruation have been overlooked in workplaces, leaving many women without the support they need at a critical stage in their life and career. By giving space for open conversations, giving recognition to lived experiences and giving practical support, organisations can create environments where colleagues feel valued and able to thrive at every stage of life. In return, we gain stronger teams, greater inclusion and workplaces where everyone can succeed.
As we celebrate women everywhere, let’s also remember that supporting menopause and menstruation at work is part of building true equality. Together, we can create a workplace where every colleague has the opportunity to flourish.
This March, we’ll be celebrating International Women’s Day by providing events associated with menopause and menstruation and also wider themes. These are as follows:
- Menstrual Health Awareness Training for Colleagues on 10 March 2026 from 14:00 – 15:00. This session will be delivered on Teams. Please book your place on the session via Horizon Learning
- Menstrual Health Awareness Training for Managers on 9 March 2026 from 14:00 – 15:00. This session will be delivered on Teams. Please book your place on session via Horizon Learning
- Menopause Webinar – the lived experience on 10 March 2026 from 13:00 – 13:45 where colleagues will share their experiences of living with menopause symptoms and how they overcame them. They will focus on topics including energy levels, mental health and anxiety and the use of HRT. Please join the webinar in Teams
- Menstrual Health Webinar – Endometriosis on 18 March from 13:00 – 13:45. Find out more about endometriosis at this informative webinar to acknowledge Endometriosis Awareness Month in March. Please join the webinar here
Wider events:
- Book Swap and Connect - the Menopause Champions are joining with the Wellbeing Network’s Connect Cafes and the EDI Building Belonging Staff session with a book swap. Come along to one of these sessions with a themed book about women, an autobiography, a factual book about women’s health or novel where the main character is a woman and connect with others about the book. If you wish, you can swap books at the end of the session.
Dates:
EDI Building Belonging session on Tuesday 10 March from 15.30 – 16.30 in Avery Hill Campus in Grey 104.
Greenwich Connect Café will take place on Wednesday 11 March from 10.30 – 12.30 in the Queen Mary Café
Medway Connect Café on Tuesday 17 March from 11.00 – 12.00 in the Drill Hall Library
HSBC are offering a series of financial webinars to celebrate International Women’s Day. The webinars are provided free to anyone who wishes to attend, and no financial advice will be given during the event. Advice and views are HSBC's, not the University’s. As a consequence of these webinars, it is the individual’s choice to engage with any services or products.
They webinars are as follows:
- Women & Wealth on Wednesday 11 March from 11.00 – 12.00
While women have made remarkable progress in narrowing workplace gaps, many still find themselves trailing men when it comes to investing in their long-term financial wellbeing. This session is designed to spark confidence and encourage open, honest conversations about money—conversations that can benefit the whole family. Book onto the session here
- Savings & Investing on Wednesday 18 March from 11.00 – 12.00
Financial independence is a cornerstone of personal empowerment, and for women, saving and investing are essential steps toward achieving long-term security and flexibility. Whether planning for life’s milestones, unexpected events, or retirement, building financial resilience can help women navigate changing circumstances with confidence. By taking proactive steps to manage their finances, women can create opportunities for themselves and their families and help close the gender wealth gap. Book onto the session here
- Thriving in retirement on Thursday 26 March from 11.00 – 12.00
Retirement marks an exciting new chapter, but navigating the transition can raise plenty of questions. In this session, we’ll take a high-level look at the key considerations as you approach retirement. We’ll explore topics such as pension withdrawal options, the timing of seeking financial guidance, different types of retirement income, and important factors in legacy planning. Book onto the session here
- Tax Optimisation on Monday 30 March from 12.00 – 13.00
Are you looking to better understand your tax allowances and the options available to you? Join us for an informative session where we’ll explore the landscape of tax allowances, demystify common misconceptions, and highlight how tools such as pensions and ISAs can play a role in your financial planning. We’ll also discuss the value of seeking professional guidance and how it can complement your own research and decision-making. Book onto the session here
