International Women's Day
Celebrate International Women's Day on Friday 8 March with events on campus and elsewhere in York.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is #InspireInclusion.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.
What's on?
Find details below of the events that we're organising. You can also find them on our Celebrating diversity events calendar: subscribe to the calendar or to individual events and the details will be added to your own Google calendar so you don't miss things that you're interested in!
Some of the events below require booking - follow the links for more details.
Monday 4 to Friday 8 March
Foyer, Environment and Geography building
A celebration wall will spotlight the incredible women in the Department of Environment and Geography. All are welcome to visit.
Tuesday 5 March, 12 noon to 1pm
Environment building 005, and online
A session of captivating talks featuring two remarkable speakers who have defied conventions and overcome obstacles on their paths to academic success. Organised by the Department of Environment and Geography, and open to all.
Wednesday 6 March 10am to 12.30 pm
Online
The 6th Annual Women in Research Network Conference is part of our University IWD celebrations and our theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. The conference will be opened by Professor Kiran Trehan, followed by talks and discussions on lived experiences and involvement in EDI from four outstanding speakers at different stages of their careers. The talks will be followed by a Q&A session where we can delve more into the lives of our speakers and their journeys.
Book to attend Inspire Inclusion
Wednesday 6 March, 1pm to 3pm
Psychology building, PS/A/202
This event is hosted by the Faculty of Sciences Wellbeing hub and is fully student led. Students across a range of different backgrounds will speak on their life stories, highlighting a key skill or trait that has helped them to develop into a strong female voice. Attendees will then have a chance to consider how to develop this skill or trait within themselves with the use of a range of activities. They will also be given a workbook to refer to after the event, and so leave with a souvenir for their own personal journey. This workshop will prove to be a key resource for those motivated to become future change-makers.
Wednesday 6 March, 3.30pm to 5pm
Dianna Bowles Lecture Theatre, Biology
Event open only to University of York staff and students.
Hosted by the Centre for Women’s Studies, in association with the Centre for Applied Human Rights and the University of York Palestinian Solidarity Collective, a talk by clinical psychologist Nabila Espanioly, a feminist and activist from Nazareth. Nabila is the founder of the groundbreaking Al-Tufula Center, a women's centre in Nazareth that aims to empower Arab women in Israel using a feminist approach. Dr Piergiuseppe Parisi (CAHR) and Haddi Malik (PSC) will chair the event.
Thursday 7 March, 1pm to 2pm
Alan Maynard Auditorium, Alcuin Research Resource Centre
Women human rights defenders risk their lives to promote justice and dignity in their local communities. Three women, three countries, three causes. They have stood up for human rights in their respective communities with great impact - and often at enormous personal risk.
Come and listen to these inspirational women as they talk about what motivates and sustains them as they fight for human rights and justice for all.
Organised by the Centre for Applied Human Rights - no booking required.
Thursday 7 March, 4.30pm
Dianna Bowles Lecture Theatre
Film screening of Surviving Translation, followed by a Q and A session with Dr Charlotte Bosseaux (University of Edinburgh) who co-created and co-produced the film.
Friday 8 March, 2.30pm
E/058, Music Extension building
We will hear about the book HerStory, a collection of piano pieces by women composers. The compiler, by Karen Marshall, will speak about the research she undertook to create the book, and about the inspiring music and composers. Music students and staff will play pieces from the book, along with some additional performances of other music by women composers. Refreshments will be available. Booking not required.
If you would like to join this event, please note that E/058 is in the Music Extension building and is keycard access; we will have someone by the door before the event begins to welcome people and ensure access. If you need to arrive later, or have any other questions, contact liz.haddon
Friday 8 March, 3pm to 4pm
Chemistry Buildings, C/A/122
On International Women's Day this year we are hosting a quiz, as part of a celebration event, which will showcase the profiles of different women in the department of Chemistry here at York and in the wider chemistry community, which includes current and historical figures.
Come along and discover what great contributions our Chemists have made to their respective fields as well as finding out who has met royalty, who rides a motorcycle and who used to compete in ballroom dancing!
All staff and students are very welcome.
Please sign up using the Google form. You can either sign up a team (say four to six people) or as an individual and join a team on the day.
City-wide and national events
The Centre for Women's Studies is supporting and contributing to the programme of events offered by York International Women's Week (YIWW), which runs from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 March.
There are also many events taking place nationally and internationally, both in-person and online. The International Women's Day events page includes the option to search specifically for virtual events.
Saturday 30 March, 11am to 12.30pm
Discover the stories beneath the stone on a guided walk through the historic streets of York. Our Uncomfortable walking tour is designed to shed light on the diverse communities that have shaped the city's long history.
As we take you through the medieval city centre, learn about the experiences of people of colour, women, and other underrepresented groups, revealing narratives often overlooked in traditional tours. Our guides are all post-graduate students researching history in York and are dedicated to sharing the deep and vibrant history of the city they love.
Accessibility: The tour features several stops around the centre of York over the course of 1½ hours. The tour contains no stairs or curbs, but please note sometimes uneven pavement in the city centre and crowding on busy days.
Resources and support
Find out how the University is supporting women and working towards gender equality.
Women in Research Network
The University's Women in Research Network provides a space for women (including those who self-identify as women) to discuss the particular issues they experience in the research domain. The Network has a programme of events and organises the annual Women in Research Network Conference (see Events above).