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International Women's Day 2026
International Women's Day 2026 theme is 'Give To Gain'
When we give, we gain.
The IWD 2026 Give To Gain Campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration.
Give to Gain emphasises the power of reciprocity and support.
When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it's intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.
Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women's advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.
Give To Gain is a worldwide call to contribute
We can all give our support to gain advancement for women and girls.
As individuals, giving support means calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias, celebrating women's success, and more.
Sharing our knowledge and encouragement with others is also key.
How will you Give to Gain?
Whether an individual, organisation or community group, here are some great ideas for supporting the IWD 2026 Give To Gain campaign all year long.
At work, at home, and in the community, there are many ways to overtly advance women.
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Give respect |
Give truth |
Give opportunities |
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Give donations |
Give equal pay |
Give safety |
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Give visibility |
Give celebration |
Give training |
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Give knowledge |
Give sponsorship |
Give stretch assignments |
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Give funding |
Give mentoring |
Give momentum |
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Give justice |
Give credit |
Give role models |
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Give resources |
Give budget |
Give growth |
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Give a voice |
Give introductions |
Give access |
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Give protection |
Give workshops |
Give time |
A spotlight on inspiring women we work with…
What is your role at Altus?
Partnership Development Officer at Altus Education Partnership
Describe your role in three words.
Partnerships, varied, and rewarding.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is witnessing and being a part of transformation.
What truly stands out is seeing students grow into the people you always believed they could be, and often even more than that. Watching them go on to pursue what they genuinely want in life is incredibly rewarding.
In personal development, the impact isn’t always measurable in grades or data. Instead, it’s found in those powerful ‘lightbulb’ moments:
- When a student handles a difficult situation with confidence
- When they overcome a fear that once held them back
- When they find the courage to socialise and engage among their academic peers/external professional
Those moments when young people realise they are worth it and they can do it tare what make the work meaningful.
Without personal development in schools, students would miss out on essential taught and practised skills, real-life opportunities, knowledge, and formative experiences that shape who they become. And that lasting impact is what makes my role so special.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow a similar path?
The advice I would give to young women aspiring to follow a similar career path is simple: own your space.
Leadership in education is still disproportionately occupied by men, which is surprising given that the profession itself is largely made up of women. Often, this imbalance isn’t about ability, it’s about barriers such as imposter syndrome, greater domestic responsibilities, or the quiet fear of not being ‘good enough.’
But you are good enough.
You deserve to be in the room.
You deserve to lead.
Don’t shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Speak with confidence. Put yourself forward for opportunities. Apply for the role even if you don’t meet every single criterion. Growth comes from stepping into spaces that stretch you.
Your perspective matters. Your experience matters. And your leadership is needed.
Tell us about something you're currently learning or developing.
I am currently undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL), and the unit we have just completed focused on culture for both staff and students. I found this absolutely fascinating. Culture is not something easily measured, much like personal development, yet it is shaped powerfully through the everyday actions, language, and behaviours of the people within an organisation.
What particularly interests me is how leadership decisions, however small, accumulate to shape a school’s climate and collective identity. I have always been drawn to psychology and the development of human character, and this unit brought those interests together in a practical and meaningful way. It reinforced my belief that culture is not created through policy alone, but through relationships, modelling, and intentional practice.
Alongside this, I am the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging lead in my school. I have been leading our work on the Anti-Racist School Award in partnership with Leeds Beckett University, which has further deepened my understanding of how inclusive cultures are cultivated. This work aligns closely with the themes of the NPQSL particularly around belonging, representation, and ensuring that both staff and students feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Through these experiences, I am continuing to develop not only my leadership practice but also my understanding of how intentional cultural work can positively shape outcomes, wellbeing, and long-term character development across a school community.
Name a woman who inspires you and why.
A woman who truly inspires me is Danielle Bailey.
Danielle has been my mentor and line manager since I began my journey at KPHS nine years ago, and throughout that time, she has consistently demonstrated what authentic leadership looks like. She is a role model in every sense of the word: someone who proves, day in and day out, her ability, compassion, work ethic, reliability, and unwavering advocacy for others.
What sets Danielle apart is that she truly walks the walk. She embodies the kind of leader I have always aspired to be: unflappable under pressure, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely approachable. She cares profoundly about the people she leads, taking time to understand individual needs, nurture areas for development, and offer meaningful, practical support. Nothing is ever too much trouble.
One of the qualities I admire most is the way she holds herself in challenging situations. She delivers the truth with clarity and integrity, standing firm in her beliefs while remaining professional and respectful. Her strength is steady rather than loud, grounded in confidence, purpose, and authenticity.
Danielle is a real example of owning her space, and she inspires those around her to do the same.
How do you ‘Give to Gain’ in your role?
In my role, centered on personal development and helping young people realise their worth, ‘giving to gain’ isn’t transactional. It’s intentional. The more you invest wisely, the greater the long-term impact for both your students and yourself.
In education, especially in personal development, what you “gain” is rarely immediate or measurable. It’s in the quiet lightbulb moments.
The return on investment is human.
What is your role at Altus?
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) at Bamford Academy
Describe your role in three words.
Supportive, dedicated, and empowering.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Seeing children grow in confidence and ability. Knowing that I’ve played a part in their progress and personal development is incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow a similar path?
Believe in your abilities and don’t underestimate the impact you can have. Education is a powerful field where you can shape futures. Be confident, keep learning, and never be afraid to use your voice.
Tell us about something you're currently learning or developing.
I am continually developing my leadership skills, particularly through my involvement in the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) group. I’m also strengthening my knowledge around inclusive practice to better support all pupils.
Name a woman who inspires you and why.
One woman who inspires me is my mother. Her resilience, strength and commitment to family and community have shaped who I am today. She has always led with kindness and determination.
How do you ‘Give to Gain’ in your role?
I give my time, patience, and encouragement to pupils and colleagues. In return, I gain growth – not only in seeing children succeed, but also in developing myself professionally and personally.
What is your role at Altus?
Head of PSHCE at Edgar Wood Academy
Describe your role in three words.
Supportive, relevant, and empowering.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Seeing the real impact of helping students navigate the world; watching their confidence, understanding and independence grow.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow a similar path?
Believe in yourself. Put yourself forward for opportunities, be creative and don’t let barriers stop you from achieving what you want. Your voice matters
Tell us about something you're currently learning or developing.
I’m currently replanning our PSHCE curriculum in line with new statutory guidance. While it might not sound exciting, I love adapting learning to reflect an ever-changing world. Making sure pupils are prepared for real life, from mortgages and taxes to feeling seen, valued and confident as active citizens.
Name a woman who inspires you and why.
The women I work alongside every day; educators who show resilience, compassion and strength while supporting young people to believe in themselves.
How do you ‘Give to Gain’ in your role?
By giving time, care, and belief to students – gains confident, informed young people who are ready to take on the world.
What is your role at Altus?
Partnership Development Officer at Altus Education Partnership
Describe your role in three words.
Partnerships, varied, and rewarding.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Meeting new people across the borough and building positive relationships. Exploring how the family of Altus Academies can be involved in borough-wide activity. That no day is the same – the work is so varied. Seeing the wonderful, happy faces when children come to the Children’s University graduation.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow a similar path?
Aspire to what your dream is... and never give up on it, as hard work pays off!
Tell us about something you're currently learning or developing.
I love shows and out of work, attend an Amateur Dramatics society. We’re currently in our final weeks of rehearsals for 9 to 5, based on the famous song from Dolly Parton. 9 to 5 tells the story of three working women, all secretaries, who decide to take revenge of on their tyrannical boss by abducting him and running the business themselves. I’m not going to spoil the outcome for readers but 9 to 5 is based on true experiences and frustrations incurred by women in the 1970s.
Name a woman who inspires you and why.
Growing up, Princess Diana!! She overcame so much, particularly in later life, when she advocated for what she believed in. Even though she had her own personal issues, she came across as a strong and resilient person. I see the same qualities in Kate Middleton now!
How do you ‘Give to Gain’ in your role?
Working to find opportunities that benefit the children and young people across our Academies and the borough, and the many volunteering roles I have is my way of giving back! The gains from this are immeasurable.
What is your role at Altus?
Year 4 Teacher – PE, Maths, and Health & Wellbeing Lead at Caldershaw Primary School.
Describe your role in three words.
Motivating, strategic, and supportive.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Building strong relationships with pupils and helping them to succeed.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow a similar path?
Aspire to what your dream is... and never give up on it, as hard work pays off!
Tell us about something you're currently learning or developing.
I’m currently developing my skills in my new Mental Health and Wellbeing role, focusing on how we can best support pupils’ wellbeing across the school, while also working towards leadership opportunities through the NPQSL.
Name a woman who inspires you and why.
The strong women I work with daily inspire me. Their dedication to supporting young people and their willingness to support each other motivates me every day
How do you ‘Give to Gain’ in your role?
By giving my time to support pupils, collaborating with colleagues, and leading subject areas to help improve outcomes and wellbeing across the school.
What is your role at Altus?
PA to Principal/Deputy Principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College.
Describe your role in three words.
Organised, supportive, and flexible.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I’m lucky enough that the Principal and Deputy Principal have involved me in more things than just being a PA. I’m involved in A&I meetings, student discussions, and key link to the wider SLT team. This makes me feel visible, valued, and genuinely part of the college’s success. I love being able to support the leadership team so they can focus on running the college, knowing that I am doing my bit.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow a similar path?
Believe in the skills you have: organisation, efficiency, resilience, and ability to juggle things. Being the person who keeps things moving and people on track. Never be afraid to take on something new.
Tell us about something you're currently learning or developing.
I have been given the freedom of developing my knowledge of StaffSafe to strengthen compliance across the college. It’s been a great opportunity to challenge myself, learn a new system, and contribute to making our processes even more robust.
Name a woman who inspires you and why.
My mum who taught me kindness, independence and the meaning of hard work. Also, the women I see on the leadership team at college, who have high standards, time to listen and have helped me be better in my role.
How do you ‘Give to Gain’ in your role?
I give my time, energy, and attention to supporting others, listening, understanding, and helping to make their work easier. In return, I gain trust and respect.
We asked these women to give one word for the future of women at Altus.
These are some of their responses…
Resilient. Empowered. Thriving. Adaptable.
An inspirational woman in our community…
Watch the video interview below with Nicky Iginla.
Nicky is the CEO and founder of local charity Caring & Sharing Rochdale. She was interviewed by another inspiring young women from Edgar Wood Academy – Lily Bravender, in year 10.
Find out more about the incredible work Caring & Sharing Rochdale do in the community by visiting their website here: caringandsharingrochdale.org
A big thank you to Nicky for her wonderful insights and inspiring story and to Lily for her confidence and wonderful example to her fellow school peers.
Step forward in solidarity
Collectively, let’s all Give to Gain.
Join in solidarity and make IWD your day by doing what you can to support and advance women and girls.