International Women's Day - Leeds University Union

International Women’s Day takes place every year on 8 March.

It is an incredibly important and exciting day where everyone is invited to celebrate women, sisterhood and the brilliant women in our lives.

LUU takes this celebration very seriously, and, this year, we are celebrating like never before.

Your Activities and Opportunities Officer, Lydia Shale, is organising a week of events, celebrations and workshops to truly put International Women’s Day at the centre of campus.

These will include gigs, pop-ups, society events, and workshops, teaching us the importance of women and women’s issues.

What’s On?

On 2 March, there will be a ‘Celebrating You’ event, recognising and learning from women and non-binary people in leadership at LUU. There will be awards, drinks and networking opportunities, to make sure you feel integrated and celebrated by your Union.

On 5 March, there will be an event on Women’s Health, featuring 12 interactive workshops to teach women more about their bodies and hormonal health. This is only a handful of the incredible events that will be available this week, so why not come and check them out?

Everyone will be welcome at these across-campus events.

Organised by Lydia Shale and the Activities Executive team, this week aims to be empowering, inclusive and fun.

Women’s issues truly are at the heart of LUU, and we aim to do as much as we can for our women on campus.

So, let’s review some of the things that LUU has done for women’s rights. ..

2021/22: Student Executive Beth Chowdry ensured that full-sized period products would be available for all people who menstruate all over campus.

2021/22: Student Executive Natasha Fowler-Ekar introduced Liberate LUU, ensuring equal opportunity and wellbeing for women and all minority students.

2024/25: Student Executive Lydia Shale expanded access to Women’s+ sports, expanding access to mixed gender sporting events for everyone in your Union.

2025/26: Student Executive Amara Relf created the Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault (SASHA) Accreditation Programme, ensuring that all students feel safe, comfortable and supported in their clubs and societies. Amara also signed the Trans Open Letter, ensuring that all our transgender students know that they are welcome at LUU.

2026/27: LUU introduced brand new Liberation Engagement Leaders for your Union, including the Gender Engagement Leader. This is for all gender minorities at your union, as it is important to recognise and make people of all genders feel safe.

So, come on down to celebrate International Women’s Week at LUU.

There are so many important events for our wonderfully diverse community at LUU, and they are just waiting for you!