International Women's Day 2026: get involved
International Women’s Day takes place this year on Sunday 8 March and here at the university we’ve got a range of events for students and staff to get involved in throughout March.
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March to honour the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
It also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity and addressing issues such as gender equality and violence against women. Find out ways to get involved with LJMU below.
Student events
JMSU Women’s Body Panel: Tuesday 10 March
As part of Women’s Month, running throughout March, JMSU is hosting a Women’s Body Panel on Tuesday 10 March, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, in the Student Life Building.
Open to both students and LJMU staff, this event will create a supportive space to explore the daily struggles and issues women face including mental, hormonal, physical and political challenges.
Hosted by Etienne (VP Community & Wellbeing) and Josh (VP Activities), the panel aims to broaden understanding, encourage open conversation, and highlight the importance of representation across our university’s community.
Student Futures Careers & Start-Up event: Wednesday 11 March
Join the Student Futures team on Wednesday 11 March, from 2pm to 3.30pm in the Student Life Building, at an inspiring careers and start-up event showcasing accomplished women from across the Liverpool City Region.
Meet professionals who are thriving in diverse industries and founders who have successfully launched their own businesses.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear authentic stories and gain insights to help you shape your own career path, be inspired and connect with others.
Let’s celebrate women’s achievements and empower the next generation of leaders!
To book your place visit the Student Futures website.
Staff events
‘Give to Gain’ International Women’s Day 2026: Monday 9 March
Organised by the Women Academics Network, Women in Professional Services Network, and the Diversity and Inclusion Team, this year's staff event gives the opportunity for the sharing knowledge and encouragement while calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias, and celebrating women's success.
The half day event will start with lunch and networking opportunities, before we hear from three external speakers. Our guest speakers bring expertise spanning race equity and decolonial practice (Faryal Iqbal), youth participation and trauma informed community work (Seline Wakerley), and women’s sexual and reproductive health with a focus on menopause (Dr Paula Briggs).
Later, members of our University Leadership Team (Professor Rachel McClean, Director, Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries, Karen Smith, Deputy Finance Director, Yvonne Turnbull, Director, Student Life and Wellbeing and Lois Wiegand, Head of Legal Services and Deputy General Counsel) will join a panel session to discuss challenges and opportunities facing women and how we can champion change here at LJMU.
Register via the staff events page.
Health, Innovation, Technology and Science International Women's Day 2026: Monday 9 March
As part of Liverpool John Moores University’s International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations, the Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science (HITS) is hosting a collaborative panel event on Monday 9 March, 4.30pm in the Adaptive Learning Zone, Rooms G.05 and G.07, James Parsons Building, in collaboration with our partners, the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and BCS Merseyside branch. Centred around the theme “Give to Gain”, the event will bring together inspiring women from academia and industry to share their experiences, reflect on leadership and inclusion, and explore how collaboration and mentorship can support the next generation of women in STEM. The event will also include opportunities for networking, encouraging students, colleagues and industry to connect, exchange ideas and build meaningful relationships. Register for the HITS IWD event here.
Join a staff network
LJMU has many staff networks at the university which you can get involved in, including the Women Academics Network, Women in Professional Services Network and Women Professors Network.
Find out more about staff networks and Diversity and Inclusion at the university on the LJMU webpages.
Partner events
‘In The Know’ International Women’s Day x World Book Day: Thursday 5 March
This event hosted by Knowledge Quarter Liverpool offers a unique opportunity to honour the local women whose voices, stories and ideas have shaped the way we see the world.
Bringing together International Women’s Day 2026 and World Book Day, the event combines networking opportunities followed by an informal panel discussion exploring how women’s words open doors, broaden perspectives and inspire meaningful action. Sarah Maclennan, Head of Creative Writing at LJMU, is one of the panellists for the event. Find out more and book your place.
