International Women's Day 2024

Painted hands and arms overlapping each other.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March each year in many countries around the world. It is a global day which recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action to advancing gender equality in every dimension of human life.

The day has been observed since the early 1900s with the first gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Today, celebrations continue to be a powerful platform globally that unifies tenacity and drives action for advancing gender equality, while celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. The day means different things to different people, but the global focus on equality and celebration is clear.

We are once again delighted to be hosting a range of thought-provoking and celebratory events throughout the week of International Women’s Day (IWD) at the University of Leicester.

Wall of Women

Browse our digital Wall of Women, or fill in your own plaque to celebrate an inspirational University of Leicester woman.

International Women's Day events at Leicester

Throughout the week around this year's International Women's Day, the University is hosting a number of free events.

Browse events

IWD Resource and Reading List

Curated by the David Wilson Library, this list provides a catalogue of available titles that predominantly feature gender and women’s' subject matter.

Women's Forum

The Women’s Forum supports the work and careers of women at the University of Leicester.

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