International Women's Day
International Women's Day, celebrated annually across the globe on 8 March, is dedicated to promoting action for gender equality and honouring women's achievements.
IWD 2023: #EmbraceEquity
The campaign theme #EmbraceEquity reminds us that gender equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have that needs to be part of every society's DNA. We can all actively support and embrace equity by challenging gender stereotypes, calling out discrimination and more.
Social Media
You are invited to join in the global social media campaign. Strike the IWD pose to show solidarity and share using the hashtags #EmbraceEquity #IWD2023 and #HWUEquality
Events
IWD with the Royal Air Force (RAF), Wednesday 8 March 2023, 12-2:45pm, Dubai Campus
A great opportunity for you to hear and learn from the senior leadership team at RAF as they share an overview of what the Royal Airforce do, including information on key areas of career protectories such as within Engineering, HR, Logistics and Mobility, Communications and Civil Servant areas.
The event will start with a presentation including a history of women in defence and the stigmas which existed, as well as the current female leadership and the positions they occupy.
Event information and registrations here
Organised by HWU Dubai in collaboration with the Royal Air Force
Celebratory Breakfast, Wednesday 8 March 2023, 8:45-10:45am, Meeting Room 1 Student Union Building (Edinburgh Campus)
Come along to a FREE International Women’s Day breakfast to celebrate women! Leave a nice message for a woman you appreciate, or a woman who inspires you and grab a hot or cold beverage, a tasty pastry or porridge pot, and some fresh fruit! Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten- free options available. Open to all.
Organised by the Student Union
International Women's Day at Galashiels, Wednesday 8 March 2023, 9:30am-1:00pm, Learning Lounge (Galashiels Campus)
We're taking over the Learning Lounge to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and to discuss the positive changes there's still room to see.
- 9:30-11am: Celebratory Breakfast
- 12-1pm: Tea and Cake
- All day: Wall of Kindness
Organised by the Student Union
Mythbusting & Coffee, Wednesday 8 March 2023, 11am-12pm, Geordies, Student Union Building (Edinburgh Campus)
Come along to meet up with other women, non-binary folk, and allies over coffee. We’ll have mythbusting games and activities to challenge common myths, stereotypes, and downright untruths that society may have about women. Re-write the myths for yourself and feel empowered to challenge misconceptions.
Both students and staff welcome. This event is a safe space for women and non-binary folk.
Organised by the Student Union and University EDI team
Strength training for women, Wednesday 8th March, 11:30-12:30, Oriam (Edinburgh Campus)
To celebrate International Women's Day, Oriam is hosting an Introduction to Strength Training for women and girls and sharing information for women in sport from our experts. If you have ever been interested in strength training but feel unsure about where to start, this is a great opportunity to give it a try! The session will be held in the Strength & Conditioning Suite and led by Katrina and Vicky, two of our experienced Performance Sports Scientists. Open to all women and girls from age 12 yrs and up.
Free session. Booking link can be found here: https://oriamscotland.com/2023/03/
Organised by Oriam
MACS Staff and Student celebration of IWD, Wednesday 8 March 2023, 1:15-3:00pm, Earl Mountbatten Building (Edinburgh Campus)
All Heriot-Watt staff and students are welcome to join this celebration of International Women’s Day. The event starts at:
- 1.15pm with a lunch in the Earl Mountain Batten Building (first floor), i.e., in the “Learning Zone” and EM 1.82, followed by:
- 2.15pm with a talk by Professor Beatrice Pelloni from the School of MACS entitled: “A personal journey within the academic world”. The talk will take place in Lecture Theatre LT3.
Organised by the MACS Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team
Singing for fun, Wednesday 8 March 2023, 2-3pm, Music Cottage (Edinburgh Campus)
This International Women's Day, come along and have fun using your voice! Including putting together a version of the empowering 'This Is Me' from The Greatest Showman.
Everyone is welcome! No prior experience necessary and no music reading required.
Register by contacting m.brown@hw.ac.uk
EPS International Women's Day, Wednesday 8 March 2023, 3-4:30pm, The National Robotarium
An opportunity for all staff and students to come together, and recognise the incredible contributions of women, as well as the challenges they face. The event will include talks by:
- Dr Ellie Ebrahimi, Functional/Space Technology Manager at Plexus Corp.
- Professor Vicki Stone, Director of the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3)
- Professor Gill Thomson, Deputy Director of Learning & Teaching, EPS.
Organised by the EPS Athena SWAN Self Assessment Team.
IWD Chaplaincy Meal, Wednesday 8 March 2023, 6-8pm, Chaplaincy (Edinburgh campus)
Enjoy a fantastic home-cooked meal for £1.00. Meet others and celebrate International Women's Day together as we hear some of our University Secretary's experiences as a woman in senior leadership.
Organised by the HWU Chaplaincy.
InfraSisters Embrace Equity Cycle Ride. Wednesday 8 March 2023, 7:30-8:30pm, Middle Meadow Walk (The Meadows)
InfraSisters are calling for an equitable approach to urban design that recognises and addresses the needs and experiences of women and girls, including those who use adapted cycles to get around. Their cycle rides are organised and led by women, everyone is welcome to join in.
Organised by InfraSisters
IWD workshop: improving recruitment of female students at Heriot-Watt, Thursday 9 March 2023, 9am-12:30pm, Edinburgh campus
A space to progress one of the University's equality outcomes: Reducing UG gender imbalance in target subject areas.
We are inviting a tailored group of people to come together to explore the issues, share good practice and plan for change. We will hear from Dr Dilraj Sukhi-Watson (Director of Equate Scotland), Dana Rock (Director of Experience Design at Picklejar Communications) and Dr Mehreen Gul (Assistant Professor & Undergraduate Admissions Tutor Architectural Engineering HWU).
If you are interested in finding out more, contact equality@hw.ac.uk
This event is a collaborative project organised by the University Athena Swan team and MRAC.
Student Parents & Carers: Coffee & Cake Afternoon, Thursday 9 March 2023, 2:30-3:30pm, Advice Hub (Edinburgh campus)
Calling all our students who are parents or carers or both! Free cake and hot drinks are on offer in the Advice Hub on Thursday 9th March at 2.30 until 3.30pm. Come and say hello to us and chat with other students who have caring responsibilities. Stay for the whole hour or just pop in. We would love to meet you.
Organised by the Student Union Advice Hub
More events will be posted here as they are planned.
If you are planning any International Women's Day events, please let us know at equality@hw.ac.uk