As industry marks International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March, the 2026 theme “Give to Gain” is shining a spotlight on the role that collaboration, mentorship and knowledge-sharing play in accelerating gender equality across global manufacturing.
First observed in 1911, International Women’s Day has helped drive progress in women’s access to education, employment and leadership. Yet many engineering and manufacturing businesses acknowledge that the sector must continue to broaden opportunities and visibility for women.
At Brigham Pressings, Compliance Director Anna Lavender-Moore believes the theme reflects how modern engineering organisations achieve high performance.
“The idea of ‘Give to Gain’ perfectly captures how strong organisations actually work,” said Lavender-Moore. “When people share knowledge, mentor others and bring different perspectives to the table, everyone benefits. You create an environment where innovation and problem-solving become collective strengths.”
Across advanced manufacturing, industry bodies have emphasised that progress often comes from everyday actions — encouraging colleagues, sharing insights and creating space for new voices to influence decisions.
Anna says that culture matters just as much as capability when companies want to attract and retain talent.
“Engineering has always thrived on teamwork,” she said. “When women feel empowered to contribute ideas, lead projects and support the next generation, the organisation gains something you simply can’t automate or buy — collective intelligence.”
The “Give to Gain” campaign behind IWD 2026 encourages organisations and individuals to adopt a mindset of generosity and collaboration, recognising that visibility, advocacy and shared experience can unlock opportunities for women across industries.
For manufacturers navigating skills shortages and rapid technological change, Lavender-Moore believes the message is particularly relevant.
“If we want the best ideas and the strongest teams, we need to make sure everyone feels they can contribute and grow,” she added. “When we invest in people and support each other’s development, the gains are felt across the whole business.”
As the manufacturing sector looks ahead to the next generation of engineers and leaders, the message behind International Women’s Day remains clear: progress accelerates when people actively choose to give — and organisations gain the benefits of a stronger, more diverse industry.