Southampton City Council to host #GiveToGain event for International Women’s Day 2026

Southampton City Council will host a keynote speaker event on Monday 9 March to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, bringing together inspirational women working and living across the city.

Hosted by Chief Executive Jillian Kay and the Sheriff of Southampton, Councillor Pat Evemy, the event will be streamed online and invites residents to hear stories from women who are contributing positively to Southampton.

The keynote line-up includes Zoe Hanson, host of the SOSO Show; sisters Phoebe and Maisie White, founders of Maurie’s Sandwich Shop; Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chair of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and Isle of Wight NHS Trust; Clare Mar-Molinero, an advocate for unpaid carers; activist Dr Jacqueline Landman; and Arlene Beaumont-Rhodes, Chair of the Women in the Workplace Network at Southampton City Council.

International Women’s Day, marked globally on Sunday 8 March, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The 2026 theme, #GiveToGain, highlights the power of collective action and the positive impact of giving back to communities.

To further mark the occasion locally, the International Women’s Day flag will be flown at the Civic Centre, and the O2 Guildhall Southampton will be illuminated in purple.

Councillor Pat Evemy, Sheriff of Southampton, said: “I’m proud to be hosting this event with the Chief Executive of Southampton City Council and we have an incredible line up of speakers. Guest speakers are women from the creative sector through to health care, and have all given for Southampton’s gain in line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme. Events like these are so important because they bring women together from across Southampton, of all ages and backgrounds, to hear inspirational and inclusive stories and this event is sure to empower and inspire viewers.”

Jillian Kay, Chief Executive of Southampton City Council, added: “I look forward to International Women’s Day every year. After speaking at last year’s event, I felt inspired and excited to be joining an incredible community of women making a difference in Southampton. As a global campaign, International Women’s Day are calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias, celebrating women’s success, and so much more. Locally, it’s all of those things with an opportunity to come together and celebrate the women that are doing extraordinary things every day to help make our city the great place it is.”

Residents are encouraged to join the livestream online. A number of additional events will also take place across the city to mark International Women’s Day, with further details available via the Visit Southampton webpage.