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International Women’s Day 2026 and what equality looks like close to home

International Women’s Day 2026 and what equality looks like close to home

International Women’s Day (IWD) is on Sunday 8 March 2026. It’s a day marked across the world to highlight the achievements of women and to focus on fairness, safety and dignity in everyday life.

This year’s themes are:

  • “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” This is the official United Nations theme.
  • “Give to Gain” is the global community theme for the IWD movement, linked to supporting women’s wellbeing and opportunities.

Together, these themes highlight two sides of the same picture:

  • the global need for fairness, safety and equal rights for women and girls, and
  • the local, everyday ways that support, connection and opportunity help women thrive in their communities.

#IWD2026 #GiveToGain

For us, these ideas are simple: women should feel safe, respected and connected in their homes and neighbourhoods, and our communities are stronger when that happens.

 

Working with women across our neighbourhoods

We work with several women’s groups through our UCAN centres, community projects and local partnerships. These groups have places to meet, build confidence, and spend time with others.

Here’s one recent example.

Lots of energy at New Bury UCAN Centre

Women in New Bury told us they wanted more ways to connect with others. So our Community Engagement Team set up a new women’s group for residents earlier this year.

At a recent session, eight women of different ages and abilities tried seated Zumba, see the image below. The room was full of movement, music and good energy, and easy chat.

A group of people taking part in a seated exercise session, raising their arms and legs while following a workout video on a screen in a community room.

One woman told us it was the most fun she’d had in a long time. She’s now a regular, along with others who’ve found it a welcoming place to spend time.

Groups like this are about giving women a space where they can lead the way, setting the tone, building friendships and shaping what the group becomes.

For more information on how our Community Engagement Team can help:

Why these moments matter in social housing

Fairness is something people should feel in everyday ways, including:

  • being treated with respect
  • feeling safe at home
  • having places that feel welcoming
  • having opportunities that suit different needs and strengths.

That’s why we put care into the services we run and the community spaces we support. 

Our wider approach to fairness and inclusion

Fairness is part of how we work. For example:

  • We support and work to recognised standards such as Disability Confident, Living Wage Employer, the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge, and BOOST Leadership Programme. You can find full details here: https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/equality-and-diversity. These help guide how we treat colleagues and customers.
  • We work with others across Greater Manchester through the Greater Manchester Housing Providers partnership, helping support inclusion and wellbeing across the region.

Women leading the way

Women play a major part in leading our organisation, across teams, services and senior roles. Their leadership shapes how we work, how we support customers, and how we improve the services people rely on every day.

This year, our Chief Executive, Noel Sharpe, is also helping to shortlist nominees for the Women in Housing Awards 2026 and the Housing Heroes Awards, celebrating the impact women make across the housing sector.

If you want to recognise someone

International Women’s Day is a good moment to tell someone they’ve made a difference — whether that’s a neighbour, colleague, family member, or someone you know in the community.

If you want to pass on a message of thanks or appreciation and want us to make sure it reaches the right colleague or team here, you’re welcome to get in touch:

  • send a direct message on Facebook, or
  • email info@boltonathome.org.uk

We’ll make sure your message gets where it needs to go.

It’s a simple way to bring a little more connection and kindness into our communities. 

Find out more  

You can read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Strategy here:
https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/our-policies-and-strategies

When women feel confident, connected and supported, whole communities benefit, and we’re proud to play a part in that.