Every March, we honour the women who have shaped our world, the thinkers, builders, caregivers, disruptors, and dreamers whose courage continues to move us forward. Women’s History Month is a reminder that progress is never accidental; it’s built through persistence, community, and the refusal to accept inequality as inevitable. 

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated globally on March 8, is a moment to recognize women’s achievements while confronting the work still ahead. This month, we’re celebrating the women who make our campus stronger — and inviting you to get involved. 

🌍 Why We Need International Women’s Day 

Despite meaningful progress, gender equity remains far from realized. Recent global data (2023–2025) highlights the ongoing need for action: 

• According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, the world is still 134 years away from achieving full gender parity. 
• Women continue to earn 20% less than men globally, with even wider gaps for racialized, Indigenous, and disabled women. 
• Over 122 million girls worldwide remain out of school (UNESCO, 2024). 
• Women perform three times more unpaid care work than men, limiting economic mobility and career advancement. 
• In Canada, women, especially Black, Indigenous, and racialized women, continue to face disproportionate rates of gender‑based violence. 

These realities underscore why IWD matters: it creates space to celebrate progress while mobilizing our community toward meaningful change. 

💬 What’s Happening on Campus: Events & Initiatives 

🌼 International Women’s Day 2026: High Tea Social 

📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 ⏰ 3:00–4:00 p.m. EST 📍 Virtual (Zoom)  

🔗 Hosted by the Faculty of Science Event link: https://uwaterloo.ca/science/events/international-womens-day-2026-high-tea-social 

Now in its sixth year, the Faculty of Science’s High Tea Social brings together alumni, students, and campus community members for an afternoon of storytelling, mentorship, and celebration. This year’s event is inspired by the 2026 IWD theme: “GiveToGain”, emphasizing reciprocity, community care, and collective empowerment. 

The event features a panel of Waterloo alumni working across science, tech, regulatory affairs, and advocacy, all sharing their journeys and insights on building inclusive futures. 

📚 Women’s Centre: Voices Anthology (2026 Edition) 

The Women’s Centre continues its tradition of amplifying student voices through Voices, an annual anthology of art, writing, and personal storytelling. Follow @yourWUSA on Instagram throughout March for weekly features from this year’s contributors. 

🤝 Get Involved: Find Your Community at Waterloo 

Whether you’re looking for support, mentorship, advocacy, or community, Waterloo offers many spaces where women and gender‑diverse students can connect and thrive. 

WUSA Student Services 

• Women’s Centre Offers peer support, resources on sexual health and healthy relationships, and volunteer opportunities. 
• Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity Canada’s oldest university‑based 2SLGBTQ+ group, offering peer support, advocacy, and community events. 

Clubs & Student Groups 

• Hera.co A student‑founded nonprofit empowering young women through mentorship, community, and leadership development. 
• UW Supporting CRIAW‑ICREF A club dedicated to promoting intersectional feminist research and community-building. 
• Women in Engineering (WiE) Provides mentorship, outreach programs, and community events for women-identifying engineering students. 
• Women in Mathematics (WiM) Advocates for gender equity in math through mentorship, workshops, and community initiatives. 
• Women in Finance (WiF) Supports women pursuing careers in finance through networking, education, and professional development. 
• Women in Healthcare A community for students pursuing careers in medicine, pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, and related fields. 

✨ Looking Ahead 

When we invest in women, we invest in stronger communities, more innovative research, and a more equitable future for everyone. This March, we invite you to celebrate, learn, connect, and take part in building a campus where all women in all their diversity, can thrive. 

Maliha Karim 

Communications Assistant