International Women’s Day 2024: events to inspire inclusion

Taking place on Friday 8 March, International Women’s Day is celebrated globally to recognise and honour the achievements of women. This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion, calling us all to understand and value women’s inclusion and for acceleration towards gender equality and equity. 

What’s on  

There are many events happening around the University and the local Southampton community this week and month – aiming to celebrate all women and their contributions to our society, and to present opportunities for us to learn more about what we can do to pave the way for a more inclusive future.  

Talks, workshops, and more  

Wednesday 6 March

18:00-18:50 – Inspiring inclusion with Rt Hon Justine Greening – Online University of Southampton alumna and former MP Rt Hon Justine Greening joins us for our annual International Women’s Day event celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women from our University community.

Friday 8 March

12:00-13:30 – Accelerating change together: inclusion workshop – Online This workshop aims to inspire tangible actions by understanding the importance of inclusion and recognising the role of men as allies.  18:00-19:00 – Women and lens-based media – John Hansard Gallery Join Ros Carter, John Hansard Gallery’s Senior Curator, and Susan Beckett, Director of City Eye, on a guided tour of the galleries to discuss the importance of women’s film and media networks.  20:00-22:00 – ArtfulScribe LitFest: International Women’s Day showcase – MAST Mayflower studios Joelle Taylor will be headlining an evening showcasing poetry from some of the UK’s best female writers. Tickets are £4 for students.

Make sure you also check out your Students’ Union Women’s History Month campaign page for a variety of events, including ‘This Girl Can’ sessions, a self-defence class, a book club, and much more.  

Women in Sport Week  

Taking place between 9-15 March and delivered by Be Active, Southampton Sport, and SUSU, Women in Sport Week is a programme of free activities aiming to empower female, female-identifying and non-binary students to keep active in a safe space. With a full evening takeover of multiple sports available, as well free taster sessions from societies, this week is a great chance to meet like-minded people and find something new to enjoy.  

More details about each individual session, including how to book, can be found on the MySouthampton app – you can download the app on your smartphone, or access it using your browser. 

Saturday 9 March	13:00-15:30 – Sailing experience (session 1) – University Watersports Centre   14:00-15:00 – Weightlifting workshop with Empower Society (session 1) –Jubilee Sports Complex   14:00-14:30 – Spin class – SUSU squash courts   14:30-15:00 – Pilates class – Jubilee Sports Complex   15:00-16:00 – Weightlifting workshop with Empower Society (session 2) – Jubilee Sports Complex  15:30-17:30 – Sailing experience (session 2) – University Watersports Centre   16:30-17:00 – Empowering talk: From one girl to another – The Student Hub Hangout Space  18:00-19:00 – Beginners’ volleyball – Jubilee Sports Hall  18:00-19:00 – Golf chipping challenge – Jubilee Sports Hall   19:00-20:00 – Multiple racket sports – Jubilee Sports Hall  19:00-20:00 – Foot tennis – Jubilee Sports Hall   20:00-21:00 – Fun dodgeball – Jubilee Sports Hall
Monday 11 March	17:00-19:00 – BioSoc Netball – Wide Lane Netball Court
Tuesday 12 March	14:30-16:30 – Ultimate Frisbee – Team Southampton Sports Hall 18:00-20:00 – Ladies’ Hockey – Wide Lane Hockey Astro  19:30-21:30 – Korfball beginner-focused session – Team Southampton Sports Hall
Wednesday 13 March	12:30-14:30 – Ladies’ Cricket – Team Southampton Sports Hall  14:00-16:00 – NOC Mermaids (Netball) – Wide Lane Netball Court 18:00-20:00 – Swallows (Football) – Wide Lane Grids
Friday 15 March	18:00-20:00 – SUWRFC (Rugby) – Wide Lane Hall  19:00-20:00 – SUMS Athena training (Netball) – Wide Lane Netball Court Clay Shooting – Contact [email protected]  or visit the Redbrick stand on Tuesday 12 March

Resources and useful links  

• The University of Southampton is a founding signatory of the Athena Swan gender equality charter and holds an institutional Silver award. The university is recognised for the role it has in promoting gender equality and address challenges across different disciplines. Find out more about the Athena Swan charter through this dedicated SharePoint page. 
• Listen to the 360 Degrees Podcast featuring inspiring stories from women including marine biologist Francesca Trotman, Marcia Ore who shares her experience as a Black woman in the police force, and Iona Bateman who shares how she navigates her career and studies after an injury.