Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day 2024 at UCL

This year's International Women's Day theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion' and the Women's History Month theme is 'Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’.

On this page:

• Foreword from the co-chairs of the Astrea Network
• Your book recommendations for Women's History Month and International Women's Day 2024
• Events
• Listen: Podcasts on women at UCL
• More information and resources

Foreword from the co-chairs of the Astrea Network

Why in 2024, are we still celebrating Women’s History Month? Because believe it or not, there’s still so much inequality – things like women facing poorer health outcomes because gynaecological symptoms are ignored by medical professionals, or women being subject to unjust patriarchal desires, and even the fact that a gender pay gap still persists – including here at UCL.  There’s still a lot to change and we can do that by raising awareness and celebrating the women around us, along with the women who have already created waves and paved the way for other women to excel. 

In case you’ve never heard of the Astrea Network, we’re a community for women in UCL Professional Services. We meet regularly to learn new skills, gain the confidence to apply for those more senior jobs and connect with, and support, other women at UCL. If this sounds like it could be useful for you, we’d love for you to join! 

This Women’s History Month, in accordance with the theme, the Astrea Network is hoping to #InspireInclusion. But what does that mean? How do we ensure our education, policy design and accessibility needs can be navigated by all? Join our online discussion (open to all staff) on 8 March to hear how we can make the world we live in more inclusive for everyone. We hope to see you there!

– Ferdouse Akhter, Pip Jackson, Aparna Murthy (co-chairs of the Astrea Network)

Your book recommendations for Women's History Month and International Women's Day 2024

UCL Library Services are compiling a list of book recommendations from across the UCL community to celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March and Women's History Month throughout March. Alongside recommendations connected to this year’s themes, we also welcome your suggestions for other books written by, for, about and celebrating women.

Make your book recommendation here!

Events

4–8 March: Join the Faculty of Population Health Sciences for Women’s Health Week 2024 

Women’s health is a multidisciplinary field of research and education at UCL and a key research area of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, we showcase how UCL is transforming the future of women’s health, translating research discoveries into treatments, and revolutionising care for women’s health. Find out more about Women’s Health at UCL and take a look at our specially-curated feed of health-related events taking place throughout the month, including talks, panels and symposia.

4 March, 5.55–6.50pm: In conversation with Professor Jo Phoenix 

In person/open to all. In conversation with Sonia Sodha, Professor Phoenix will discuss her employment tribunal, where it was found that she was wrongfully constructively dismissed by the Open University due to her gender critical beliefs. This event is sold out but you can find out more and join the waitlist here. 

5 March, 9.15–10.45am: UCL Climate Cuppa: International Women's Day Special 

In person/open to staff. Meet colleagues from across UCL over a cup of tea or coffee and hear from some of the women leading their fields at UCL in this special event for International Women’s Day, celebrating women’s contribution to climate action. 

5 March, 5–6pm: Women in Medicine and the Gender Pay Gap

Online/open to all. The UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences Public Lecture in March celebrates International Women's Day, welcoming Professor Jane Dacre who will talk about gender pay inequality in the medical field.

6 March, 10am–5pm: Inclusivity in women's health tech

In person/open to all. Join us to explore inclusivity in women's health tech through panel discussions, presentations and networking. This event will bring together UCL researchers, industry experts, and companies working in HealthTech and digital health to explore topics on inclusivity in women's health. UCL researchers wishing to attend should join the waitlist or contact b.malkani@ucl.ac.uk.

7 March, 1–2pm: Lunch Hour Lecture | Why we need to teach everyone about reproductive health 

Online/open to all. In this Lunch Hour Lecture marking International Women's Day, Professor Joyce Harper will discuss why we need to teach everyone about reproductive health; from puberty to menopause. 

7 March, 6.16pm–8pm: Each Time a Woman Stands Up For Herself, She Stands Up For All Women 

In person and online/open to all. We’re delighted to welcome Times Top 10 bestseller and highly acclaimed international speaker Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, to share her journey and reflections in the lead-up to International Women’s Day 2024. 

8 March, 12–1pm: UCL Astrea – International Women's Day – Inspiring Inclusion 

Online/open to UCL staff. UCL Astrea are delighted to host a webinar event discussing the importance of inspiring inclusion across education, innovation and policy, with experts in inclusion from the UCL EDI team, the Global Disability Innovation Hub, the VP (RIGE) Office and the Department of Psychology & Human Development.

8 March, 12.30–2pm: Women in Leadership International Women's Day Panel: Investing in women 

Online/open to UCL staff. In celebration of International Women's Day on Friday 8 March, the UCL Senior and Women in Leadership Development Alumni Network(S/WILD Alumni Network) are pleased to invite colleagues to a panel discussion that will be exploring the international women's day theme, 'invest in women, accelerate progress'.

8 March, 12.50–2pm: Faculty of Engineering, Fireside Chat with Professor Dame Celia Hoyles

In person/open to all. Professor Dame Celia Hoyles will be in conversation with Professor Ifat Yasin, Department of Computer Science, UCL, and will share her experiences of an academic journey.

14 March, 4.30–6.30pm: Women with a mission: Making an impact through Social Ventures

In person/open to all. A knowledge sharing and networking event, celebrating female founders in the social impact space.

20 March, 1–4pm: Women in Security, Crime and Forensic Science Showcase

In person/open to UCL staff and students. Join our event highlighting the women researchers and professionals within the area of security, crime, forensic science, and policing.

27 March, 2-3pm: EDI event: supporting people to thrive through menopause

Online/open to UCL staff and students. Join our expert speaker Dr Shema Tariq in this online event exploring what menopause is, how it impacts work and strategies for supporting colleagues and students.

Listen: Podcasts on women at UCL

• Medical Women Talking podcast: Interviews with inspiring women doctors from across medical disciplines; hosted by Professor Dame Jane Dacre
• Women leading infrastructure podcast: In this podcast, we're talking about the shortage of female talent working in top jobs in construction and infrastructure. What is putting women off these jobs?