Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the world, reflect on progress made, and recognise the challenges that remain. Herts is celebrating Women’s History Month, as well as International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March, to recognise the importance of our gender work, and the ongoing progress to achieve equality. Whilst progress has been made, there is still disparity between men and women when it comes to employment options and opportunities, pay gap, childcare, gender roles, discrimination and sexual harassment.
IWD is a global campaign celebrated each year on 8 March. It is a day that celebrates the potential for ‘A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.’ The theme for 2025 is #AccelerateAction, which calls for decisive action to break down barriers and push for greater inclusion.
Women’s History Month provides us with the opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against discrimination, and take action to drive gender parity.
Women’s History Month provides us with the opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against discrimination, and take action to drive gender parity.
What’s happening at Herts?
Herts will mark both International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month with a month-long series of events, to raise awareness around ongoing and ‘live’ issues that affect women, both inside and outside of the workplace. Our Resources page has information on our events, plus other ways you can get involved in this important activity.
As a university, we are committed to gender equality as demonstrated in our objective to increase Senior Academic Women (grade AM1 and above) by 10% by 2025. We surpassed the 49.2% target, achieving 51% in 2023-24.
In September 2024, we achieved our first Institutional Silver Athena Swan Charter mark. This charter focuses on gender equality and offers a framework for universities to address inequalities such as workplace discrimination, barriers to promotion and progression, structural inequalities and social injustices that affect the experience of staff and students. The framework includes a 5-year action plan for us to continue to build on equitable practice. For more information, see our charter marks, awards and affiliations page.
Please join in the celebrations to mark the achievements of women, and celebrate our diversity, across both our staff and student communities and the wider community. Please take advantage of the resources below and attend our events to expand your understanding, awareness of barriers and ongoing support.
