On 8 March every year, NASUWT joins campaigners across the globe to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) to draw attention to women’s continued fight for equality.
The theme for IWD 2026 is #GiveToGain.
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity according to data from the World Economic Forum.
This IWD is a call for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
For women teachers in the UK, engaging with International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a responsibility.
As educators and trade unionists, women teachers stand at the intersection of learning, leadership and workplace justice.
The theme Give to Gain reminds us that progress for women in education has always come through collective action - women giving their time, solidarity and voice so that future generations gain greater equality.
From campaigning for fair pay and pensions to challenging discrimination and supporting colleagues facing workplace barriers, women teachers in trade unions know that every step forward has been won together.
As part of our work to celebrate and increase women’s contribution to the workplace and wider society, we are marking International Women’s Day 2026 with a webinar on Monday 9 March at 5pm.
Join us at this important event to discuss what Give to Gain looks like for women teachers and NASUWT.
We will be continuing the theme of IWD Give to Gain one month later at our annual Women Teachers’ Consultation Conference at our in-person event for NASUWT women members on Saturday 9 May at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham NEC.
The conference will cover a range of topics and sessions pertinent to the working lives of women teachers. It also gives attendees the opportunity to network with other women teachers in a safe and inclusive environment and hear from speakers in the fields of education and equalities.
Travel, overnight accommodation and meals are FREE to NASUWT members, including early career teachers.
Further information
NASUWT is committed to fighting for equity for all its women members through a constant focus on intersectionality. You can begin the journey to help make women members heard throughout NASUWT by becoming more active.
Find out more about NASUWT campaigns for women’s rights on our:
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Women Teachers page;
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Step up Sisters campaign, which is about embracing equity within unions as well as society in general; and
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how to Get Active in your Union page.
The history of International Women’s Day
This day of action and celebration first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the 20th century in North America and Europe.
While International Women’s Day is now largely aimed at inspiring women across the world and celebrating their achievements, its roots lie in movements campaigning for better pay and voting rights for women.
The first IWD was held in 1911 when more than one million women and men attended rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, hold public office and end discrimination.
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