Billed as 'the world's biggest, most comprehensive festival celebrating women, girls and non-binary people', Women of the World festival, or WOW for short, has announced its return to the Southbank Centre next year. WOW is the brainchild of theatre director Jude Kelly CBE, who launched the festival in 2010 when she was artistic director at the Southbank Centre.
The level is crazy – I had to put a lot down to get here. To win, to be a world champion on International Women's Day definitely means a lot, but there are bigger things going on. This feels huge and I am so thankful, but there are bigger things. I just pray for peace.
Rape survivor turned feminist campaigner Gisèle Pelicot, along with her daughter Caroline Darian, led the march in Paris, saying: "We will never give up". Her daughter added: "I am very honoured to be here with my mother, who gives a real message of hope to all victims in France."
During World War I, women in Russia went on strike. They demanded "bread and peace." Among the results of their four-day protest: the Czar abdicated and women gained the right to vote. This bold strike began on Feb. 23, 1917, according to the Julian calendar then used in Russia. That date translated to March 8 in the Gregorian calendar that much of the world uses.
This recognition reflects the joy of cycling and the community spirit of every woman who has been part of our journey. Together we are creating accessible and empowering spaces for Muslim and ethnically diverse women to cycle and become more healthy.
Kelly played a starring role in England's back-to-back Women's European Championship wins, shooting to international fame at the Lionesses' home tournament in 2022. Her extra-time goal to defeat Germany in the final was the biggest women's football moment Wembley has ever seen, yet she somehow managed to outdo herself in Switzerland three years later.
To be a Barbie role model is so special. To have my very own one-of-a-kind doll - I'm very proud of that. You don't really believe these things could happen. You always look for the trophies and the wins on the pitch but, off the pitch, this is a massive win.
March 8 itself has been International Women's Day for just over a century, and although there are several versions of "why March 8?" the answers all lead back to early 20th-century socialists and communists. Soviet Russia in particular made a big thing of commemorating March 8 as the beginning of the first of the two revolutions that created their empire.
To celebrate International Women's Day, held each year on 8 March, Nature asked six previous winners of awards given in partnership with Nature to name a woman who has had a positive impact on their career and well-being. This year, Nature has focused on winners of the Estée Lauder Companies' annual Inspiring Women in Science award, the inaugural Sony Women in Technology award - given to women who are using technology to drive positive change for society and the planet - and the annual John Maddox Prize.
First marked in 1911, International Women's Day began as a campaign for women's rights to work, vote and hold public office. Over the past century, it has evolved into a global moment to celebrate women's achievements, highlight gender inequality, support female-focused charities, and push for a more inclusive society. Every year we celebrate IWD on 8th March but it's one day that comes and goes with very little tangible change.
