International Women’s Day (IWD) takes place on Monday 8 March 2021, with celebrations taking place across the university throughout March.

This year’s IWD theme is ‘Choose to Challenge’ and includes the following call to action:

“A challenged world is an alert world.

Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.

We can choose to challenge and call out gender stereotypes and bias.

We can choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.

Collectively, we can create an inclusive world.

From challenge comes change. Choose to challenge.” IWD 2021

Central Events/Initiatives

A range of central events are taking place to celebrate IWD, including the following:

Opening Video – to launch on 8^th March

Opening the celebrations for International Women’s Day will be the launch of a video showcasing a collection of artistic performances in celebration and recognition of women, the challenges they face and the inspiring ways in which these are overcome.

If you would like to be involved, please see below for further details.

The Board are currently looking to feature a number of mini performances of around 15-45 seconds length to be included in the video. Each related to the ‘Choose to Challenge’ theme and, whilst recognising and highlighting challenges and barriers faced by women, ultimately celebrating women’s achievements in overcoming these and providing a source of inspiration.

Performances might include, spoken poetry, a musical performance, story-telling or any other form of artistic performance performed as an individual or in your household/support bubble.  We welcome input from staff and students.

If you have ideas for how you would like to contribute, please get in touch by emailing br-edicoordinators@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk by Friday 29^nd January, providing the following:

• Name of individual performer or Covid- secure group
• Main contact details
• Outline description of performance and/or detailed description (e.g. copy of poem, video of previously recorded performance etc.)
• Any other relevant information

Podcasts

A series of conversational podcasts exploring ways in which women have taken on challenges that have supported their physical and mental wellbeing, particularly throughout lockdown, sharing what we can all learn from this.   Links to podcasts will be available here from 8 March onwards.

Padlet

Open throughout March, the padlet will provide an opportunity for all members of the university community (staff, students and alumni) to share their thoughts and inspire others on the theme of ‘Choose to Challenge’.  Come back and visit this page in March to leave an inspirational quote to be shared with others.

Closing Event Panel Discussion Wednesday 24 March (afternoon, time TBC)

The panel discussion will recognise and highlight challenges and barriers faced by women, and celebrate women’s achievements in managing or overcoming these, providing a source of inspiration to others.  Further information and booking details to follow soon.