International Women's Day 2025: #AccelerateAction

We’re embracing inclusion and forging a path for the women of the future.

International Women’s Day is a time to raise awareness about discrimination, celebrate women’s achievements and take action to inspire inclusion.

In 2025, the United Nations' theme is ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality and Empowerment’, calling for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation, particularly young women and adolescent girls as catalysts for lasting change ​(UN Women News and Stories, 2024)​.

Aligned with this global movement, the agency theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, reflects the UN urgency to drive gender equality forward.  

Our commitment to equality 

As a University, equality, diversity and inclusion is central to Our future, our strategic plan, vision and values; we’re committed to accelerating and achieving gender equality for the benefit of our staff, students and wider community. 

A message from our Executive Director of EDI

Sarah Fox, our new Executive Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion reflects on how the theme relates to our staff and students:

"I am proud of our organisational commitment and the action we are taking to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all. The UN's theme for International Women's Day, ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality and Empowerment’, aligns with our mission. This theme is not just a call to action but a guiding principle for our employees of all genders

I encourage our community to embrace this theme by advocating for equal rights, seizing opportunities for empowerment, and supporting one another. By doing so, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, ensuring that every woman and girl at our university, and beyond, can achieve their full potential."

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  Number one in Europe for social and environmental impact

  Our commitment to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), including SDG 5: Gender equality, is unmatched. We're the only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in every year of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

  Read more on how the SDGs inform our work