It’s nearly International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to celebrating progress in women’s rights around the world. And yes, every day should be International Women’s Day.
For the past 19 years, Million Women Rise has taken to the streets of London around IWD to march against all forms of men’s violence against women and girls. The march, Esi Yankey, a spoken word artist, activist, and founder of Poetry Prescribed, tells Glamour, is about “sisterhood and solidarity.”
“It’s a space where people grieve, where people laugh, where people drum, and where people can really feel held and supported.”
For International Women’s Day 2026, Eliza Hatch, the founder of Cheer Up Luv, went to the Million Women Rise march in London. You can check out some of the incredible placards and moments of sisterhood and community throughout this page.
Here’s everything you need to know about International Women’s Day 2026
When is International Women’s Day 2026?
International Women’s Day falls on 8 March every year. This year, it’s Sunday, 8 March GMT.
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is dedicated to celebrating women and their achievements, and a time to reflect on what we need to do to help make this world a fairer, more equal place. “Across the world, women and girls face diverse forms of injustices – from violations and violence, structural exclusion, economic injustice, conflicts and other forms of discrimination,” says Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women. “They stand in courtrooms, in the streets, online, and in places where the law has never fully protected them, striving for respect, protection, and seeking justice. Their stories may differ, but their reality is shared: nowhere in the world do women and girls fully enjoy substantive equality.”
IWD, she explains, is about women redefining justice. “International Women’s Day exists to amplify that momentum, to defend hard-won rights, confront the regression, stagnation and backlash against gender equality and women’s rights; and accelerate progress that means women and girls everywhere can live with safety, dignity and opportunity.”
It’s a vital moment to encourage everyone to stand for women’s rights, pushing for stronger laws and protections for women and girls everywhere. But it’s also a moment to celebrate the amazing work women everywhere are already doing.
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that when women and girls stand up for their rights, they don’t just change their own lives, they change the world,” says Nyaradzayi. “They create a world of peace and development in human rights for all.”