International Women’s Day
16 Feb 2024
Inspiring voices – celebrating inclusion this International Women’s Day
This March we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 with a month of thought-provoking talks and events taking place across the University.
The IWD 2024 campaign theme is #InspireInclusion which aims to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women.
Women@Manchester co-chairs, Emma Shiels and Dr Lin Ma, said: "As we celebrate 200 years at Manchester and reflect on how women have contributed to our success, we are proud to present an exciting programme of speakers and changemakers all making a difference in global gender equity.
Don’t miss our flagship Women@Manchester event on Thursday, 7 March with Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Professor Rachel Cowen our Academic EDI lead for Gender and Sexual Orientation and lead for Athena Swan, Faye Coleman, co-lead and allyship officer for GM4Women, Dr. Laura Winter, Associate Director for EDI in the School of Environment, Education and Development and Lee Chambers, a business psychologist and male ally.’
Professor Rachel Cowen, Academic Lead for EDI (Gender and Sexual Orientation) said: "As we celebrate International Women's Day this year under the powerful theme of 'Inspire Inclusivity', let us recognise that true progress is achieved when we embrace the strength that lies in diversity.
"True inclusion is about putting diverse perspectives at the heart of decision-making. As we celebrate achievements this International Women's Day, let’s also wholeheartedly commit to embedding authentic inclusivity into everything we do."
Events
Tuesday, 5 March
Women@Manchester Seminar: Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno on Gender-Based Violence in the Family Court System,
10:00 to 11:00am, (Online – live stream)
Women@Manchester is delighted to host Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno, fromFaculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Director and founder of SHERA – a collective of professionals and victim-survivors of abuse leading global innovative research into the Health, Social, Human Rights and Economic Impacts of Domestic Abuse/Violence on Women and Children. Dr Dalgarno will present her research into Gender-Based Violence in the Family Court System in Brazil and England.
Wednesday, 6 March
FBMH International Women’s Day event with Professor Olive Mugenda
12:30 to 1:30pm, Room G54, Chemistry Building (In-person and live streamed)
FBHM invite you to attend a special bicentennial IWD 2024 event with Professor Olive Mugenda, who will reflect on her experiences of navigating challenges in the workplace as a woman. Professor Mugenda has dedicated her education and professional career towards understanding women’s issues and fighting for healthcare equality. Professor Mugenda is currently the Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral & Research Hospital; an institution which is recognised as one of The University’s international partners in the Kenya UK Healthcare Alliance.
Thursday, 7 March
Women@Manchester: International Women’s Day Celebration annual event
1:15pm to 3:30pm University Place, Theatre A ( In-person)
Our International Women’s Day celebration event features a panel of speakers including Professor Rachel Cowen, University Lead for Equality Diversity and Inclusion (Gender and Sexual Orientation), Faye Coleman, who is the co-lead and allyship officer for GM4Women and also leads the Women@Manchester student network strategy, Dr. Laura Winter, Associate Director for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the School of Environment, Education and Development at the University of Manchester and Lee Chambers, a business psychologist and male ally.
We will also be joined by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Women@Manchester co-chairs; Dr. Lin Ma and Emma Shiels. The session will be followed by refreshments and networking in the Drum Foyer.
Saturday, 9 March
Walk for Women: Manchester City Council Annual Event
12pm - 2:30pm, Mount Street behind Central Library (by the John Cassidy 'Ardrift' statue)
Join together with people from across the city and create a purple student and staff University of Manchester wave to celebrate IWD 2024 and share in the city’s passion for equality and creating opportunities for Manchester women.
Optional invitation to wear purple and bring family, friends, and fun, safe and noisy instruments
Wednesday, 13 March
Data and the Importance of Representation in Gender Equity (Lunch and Learn) 12:30 to 1:30pm
On Wednesday, 13 March we are presenting an online lunch and learn for International Women's Day about Data and the Importance Representation in Gender Equity.
This will be presented by our EDI Data Analysts, Sami Karamalla-Gaiballa and Lauren Stellar.
Wednesday, 27 March
Conversations about Gender and Disability featuring Jo Longhurst
Zochonis Building, Lecture Theatre B, 1pm to 2pm
Join SMS International Women's Day event with Jo Longhurst discussing disability and gender inclusion. Explore unseen illnesses in university culture, amplify voices, and prepare for future EDI initiatives in 2025. With Professor Rachel Cowen Professor of Inclusive Researcher and Academic Development and University Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, Beck Heslop (PGR, CHSTM, SMS) Dr Sabine Sharp (eLearning Support) and, Rachel Heyes (Learning Technologist)
About International Women’s Day
IWD takes place on 8 March each year and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
This year’s United Nations call is to ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’, recognising the alarming lack of financing identified as one of the key challenges in achieving gender equality by 2030.
More information
• Women@Manchester staff network
• Join women@manchester staff network via Teams
• If you are hosting an event for International Women’s Day that you would like us to add to this list please email uninews@manchester.ac.uk