2026 International Women’s Day message from the ICA Gender Equality Committee Chair
08 Mar 2026
Today we celebrate International Women’s Day, which this year is commemorated under the theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls”.
Because equality cannot be achieved without justice.
Around the world, millions of women continue to face structural barriers such as discriminatory laws, unequal access to land and credit, and a lack of representation in decision-making.
From the international cooperative movement, we see every day how cooperatives open new pathways. When women organize in cooperatives, they strengthen their voice, share resources, and build more democratic and inclusive spaces.
In 2026, which has been declared by the United Nations as the “International Year of the Woman Farmer”, we have a key opportunity to recognize and support rural women, who sustain our communities and our agri-food systems.
This March 8, we reaffirm our commitment: to work towards fairer, more inclusive and more equitable systems for all women and girls.
Because equality is not just a goal. It is a right.
