115 Years of Progress: Why International Women’s Day 2026 Matters More Than Ever!

March 5, 2026

Imagine a world where difference is not a barrier, but something to be celebrated. A world where women’s voices are heard clearly - free from the biases and stereotypes that have historically held them back.

This vision sits at the heart of International Women’s Day (IWD). And as we mark 8 March 2026, we are not simply celebrating a date on the calendar. We are honouring more than a century of determination, courage and collective action.

This year carries special significance: 115 years since the first International Women’s Day in 1911.

For organisations like Herts Ability, it’s also a moment to recognise the powerful voices of women within our community - particularly disabled women who continue to challenge barriers every day.

A legacy that belongs to everyone

Since its beginnings in 1911, International Women’s Day has never belonged to a single organisation, government or charity. As feminist activist Gloria Steinem famously said, the struggle for equality belongs to everyone who believes in human rights.

Over the past 115 years, each generation has taken up the torch:

The suffragettes demanding the right to vote
Campaigners fighting for workplace equality
Advocates calling for accessibility, representation and inclusion
A new generation of digital activists pushing for change online and offline

When we take part in International Women’s Day today, we are stepping into this long and proud tradition of changemakers.

Marking the moment: International Women’s Day 2026

The global celebration takes place on Sunday 8 March 2026, but the spirit of IWD is far bigger than a single day.

What matters most is not the exact day we celebrate - but the impact of the conversations and actions that follow.

More than a celebration

While International Women’s Day is often associated with flowers and social media posts, its roots are much deeper. It remains a powerful call to action.

The movement continues to focus on three vital goals:

Visibility

Recognising the social, economic and political achievements of women that too often go unrecorded.

Awareness

Highlighting ongoing challenges such as pay inequality, under-representation in leadership and barriers to safety and accessibility.

Solidarity

Building a movement that includes everyone. Gender equality is not just a women’s issue - it is a human issue!

Why we can’t afford complacency

It is easy to ask whether a dedicated day is still necessary in 2026.

The answer is yes.

Research from the World Economic Forum suggests that, at the current rate of progress, true global gender equality could still be five generations away.

That means many of us - and possibly even our children - may not see full gender parity in our lifetimes.

Five generations is too long to wait.

That is why International Women’s Day remains a moment to stand together. Across the world, people wear the movement’s colours:

Purple for justice
Green for hope
White for unity and solidarity

Together they symbolise the determination to create a fairer future.

Voices from our community

At Herts Ability, we are proud to work alongside inspiring women who continue to challenge barriers and advocate for inclusion.

Dr Alka Chandrayan - Trustee & Advocate

“I choose to challenge myself. To lead like a woman. Together, we are powerful. We are committed to creating opportunities for women through mentorship, leadership programmes, inclusive infrastructure and advocacy.”

Victoria Schwimmer - Driving Centre Administrator

“The photo of me competing in a dressage competition tells my story. I was born with mild cerebral palsy affecting my right side. Often people assume I don’t need help or understanding.

I’ve overcome many struggles and potential discrimination through determination, asking questions and finding the right support. That support helped me achieve my employment goals, as well as my personal and family ambitions.”

Stories like these remind us that progress happens not only in headlines or policy changes, but in the everyday determination of individuals.