IWD 2026: Celebrating the remarkable force known as Woman

International Women’s Day 2026 is a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women across the world. From leading businesses and governments to shaping communities and families, women continue to break barriers and inspire change. Over the years, progress has been made in areas such as education, leadership, and workplace equality.

This day reminds us of the importance of creating a world where every woman and girl has equal opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. It is also a moment to recognize the women in our lives—mothers, sisters, colleagues, and friends—who inspire us with their strength and determination. When we advocate and create space for others, we strengthen the entire ecosystem. When we choose to keep learning, have the confidence to speak up and take the time to build trust, we open doors not only for ourselves but for others as well.

However, challenges like gender pay gaps, limited opportunities, and social barriers still remain.

This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is “Give To Gain,” highlighting the importance of mutual support and collective progress. The theme encourages acts of giving in many forms, whether through donations, sharing knowledge, providing resources and infrastructure, offering visibility and advocacy, or supporting women through education, training, mentoring, equal pay, justice, opportunities, safety, and time.

The official International Women’s Day website notes that empowering women creates wider social progress. As it puts it, “Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.”

Celebrating Women’s Day 2026 on March 8

, let us honour and appreciate their achievements and commit to building a more inclusive and equal future for all.

International Women’s Day 2026 is a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women across the world. From leading businesses and governments to shaping communities and families, women continue to break barriers and inspire change. Over the years, progress has been made in areas such as education, leadership, and workplace equality.

This day reminds us of the importance of creating a world where every woman and girl has equal opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. It is also a moment to recognize the women in our lives—mothers, sisters, colleagues, and friends—who inspire us with their strength and determination. When we advocate and create space for others, we strengthen the entire ecosystem. When we choose to keep learning, have the confidence to speak up and take the time to build trust, we open doors not only for ourselves but for others as well.

However, challenges like gender pay gaps, limited opportunities, and social barriers still remain.

This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is “Give To Gain,” highlighting the importance of mutual support and collective progress. The theme encourages acts of giving in many forms, whether through donations, sharing knowledge, providing resources and infrastructure, offering visibility and advocacy, or supporting women through education, training, mentoring, equal pay, justice, opportunities, safety, and time.

The official International Women’s Day website notes that empowering women creates wider social progress. As it puts it, “Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.”

Celebrating Women’s Day 2026 on March 8

, let us honour and appreciate their achievements and commit to building a more inclusive and equal future for all.

Aparna Balasubramanian, Senior Director of Software Engineering at GoTo

“As technology evolves, the AI-first era redefines how industries operate, compete, and grow. No longer confined to IT, AI now shapes strategy and resilience across the business ecosystem. Yet acceleration must be matched with intention; progress without strong security commitments and accountability for our shared resources is not transformation—it is risk.

At GoTo, we are building an inclusive environment where empathetic leadership and diverse perspectives drive the next wave of enterprise solutions. True innovation demands more than technical depth; it requires a culture where talent, stewardship, and collaboration create meaningful impact. It is about influence—ensuring diverse thinkers are architecting scalable systems, advancing AI-led automation, and strengthening cybersecurity. This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to keeping talent at the centre of progress—because the future we engineer will be defined not only by models, but by the values and inclusive leadership behind them.” 

Ashwini Patil, EVP - Head of Product Design, Lentra

"On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women whose ideas, leadership, and resilience help shape our organization every day. In an industry driven by innovation, diverse perspectives are essential to building meaningful and inclusive solutions. We remain committed to fostering a workplace where every voice is valued and everyone has the opportunity to grow and lead. Together, we continue to build a more inclusive future for our teams, our industry, and the communities we serve."

Arundhati Bhattacharya, President and CEO, Salesforce - South Asia

"As we mark International Women's Day 2026 under the powerful theme 'Give To Gain,' I am reminded that true progress in gender equality has never been a zero-sum game. Throughout my journey—from breaking barriers as the first woman to chair the State Bank of India to now leading Salesforce's transformation across South Asia—I have witnessed firsthand how investing in women creates a multiplier effect that elevates entire organizations and societies.

The challenges women face today remain deeply entrenched. Despite holding only 64% of the legal rights that men possess worldwide, despite being underrepresented in C-suites and boardrooms, and despite confronting persistent societal norms that question our capabilities at every turn, women continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and leadership. 'Give To Gain' resonates profoundly because it captures what I have learned across four decades in both the public and private sectors: when organizations give women opportunities, mentorship, flexible policies, and genuine support, they gain innovation, diverse perspectives, and stronger business outcomes. When we give women sabbatical leave, equal pay, and seats at decision-making tables, we gain sustainable growth that benefits everyone.

At Salesforce, we put this belief into action. Through initiatives like our EQE: LEAD** Women South Asia program, we empower women leaders across Salesforce in the region, building a supportive community that fosters growth and an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Our Return to Work program gives women who've taken career breaks a platform to restart their journeys. And through our annual Trailblazing Women Summit, we bring together leaders across industries to explore how AI is reshaping the future of work - because the future must be built with women, not just for them.” 

Anjali Sharma, Vice President HR and Global Head of Learning & Development, Fulcrum Digital

“International Women’s Day 2026 reminds us that progress is a collective journey, built on the contributions we choose to make. The theme ‘Give To Gain’ highlights a powerful truth: when organizations invest in mentorship, inclusive leadership, access to learning, and equitable growth pathways for women, the returns are immense, including increased innovation, resilience, and business performance. In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, opportunity stands as the true differentiator. As we enter the era of Artificial Intelligence, our commitment must include intentionally upskilling women to lead and master these emerging technologies.

At Fulcrum Digital, we embrace inclusion as a business accelerator, not just a compliance necessity. Our focus on continuous learning and leadership development ensures that women not only participate in transformation but lead it across global markets. When women are empowered to contribute fully, organizations gain invaluable perspectives, heightened agility, and sustainable growth.”

Anasuya Mohan Rao, Clinical and Co-creation Office Program Lead, MR R&D, Philips Innovation Campus

“At Philips, we believe meaningful innovation begins with a simple promise - every line of code, every prototype, every clinical insight should translate into better health and well-being. Working in R&D at the Philips Innovation Campus, I have seen how generosity accelerates that translation by opening doors, sharing knowledge, and sponsoring women at every stage of their journeys. Generosity helps innovation move faster because when we support women with opportunities, knowledge, and advocacy, their contributions get to impact patients and society sooner. This is the spirit of Give to Gain. When we give opportunities, we gain stronger ideas. When we give support, we gain wider perspectives. And when we give women the space to rise, we gain solutions that travel faster from our labs to the people who need them most. The more we lift women, the more the world benefits and the more we all gain.” 

Deepali Kelkar, Co-Founder & COO, Secutech Automation

“When we started Secutech over two decades ago, this industry was seen as high-stress, site-driven, and largely male-dominated. Today, technology is changing that narrative. Automation, AI, and intelligent systems are removing traditional barriers and creating space for diverse talent to lead mission-critical environments.

However, representation alone is not enough. The real shift must happen at the mid-career and leadership levels, where many women exit the pipeline. Organisations must move beyond symbolic inclusion and build structures that enable mentorship, continuous skilling, and confidence in high-impact roles. In fast-evolving sectors like ours, learning cannot pause, and neither should opportunity. The future of smart infrastructure and cyber-secure environments demands collaborative thinking, empathy, and ethical leadership. International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress is not about participation alone; it is about ensuring women shape the systems that power our cities, industries, and institutions.”

Deepa Madhavan, Vice President Product Engineering and India Country Head, Genesys

“While women representation in India’s IT sector is gradually evolving, sustained and focused efforts are needed to bridge remaining gaps and accelerate inclusive growth across the broader technology ecosystem. On International Women’s Day, as we reflect on this year’s theme “Give To Gain”, it is important to think about how we can encourage more women to pursue careers in technology by sharing opportunities, guidance, and support.

My message to women considering a career in tech is simple: believe in your potential and take that step forward. Connect with people in the industry, seek mentors who can guide and support you, and take time to explore the wide range of opportunities available. Think about how your unique skills and experiences can make a difference because your ideas, voice, and leadership are essential to building a more inclusive and innovative technology ecosystem in India.” 

Deepa Kuppuswamy, Director of Security, ManageEngine, Zoho Corp.

“The theme ‘Give To Gain’ resonates because it reflects something we see in real life, not just on a campaign banner. Growth rarely happens in isolation. It happens when someone shares an opportunity, extends trust, or opens a door. At ManageEngine, empowering women is not a one-day conversation. It is about ensuring access to meaningful roles, leadership pathways, and the confidence to take on larger responsibilities. When organizations consciously create that space, the impact shows up in stronger teams, better ideas, and more resilient businesses. Progress is cumulative. The more we enable each other to succeed, the more we all move forward, and that is a future worth building together.” 

Dipali Padia, Director, BD & Alliances, Neokred

“International Women’s Day 2026 marks a shift in how organizations define progress. We have moved past the era where growth of women in the workforce was viewed from a linear perspective, a solitary achievement or a simple upward trajectory. The world recognizes that growth today is catalytic. It’s a force when ignited in one individual, creating ripples across the entire organization. It isn’t about personal milestones but about how every step forward emboldens those around us to take their own leap. 

This brings us to the core philosophy of ‘Give to Gain’. For way too long, giving was seen as a loss of time or competitive edge. In 2026, we understand that giving equals intentional multiplication. When organizations invest in creating trust, mentorship and opportunities for women to thrive, it doesn’t lose but gain a more resilient and innovative workforce. This reciprocity is the foundation of modern success. At Neokred, where women lead across various functions be it tech or product or finance, we see that diversity is the fundamental engine pushing purposeful innovation. We practise bias free hiring, ensure equitable growth opportunities, and actively support women through mentorship, skill development. By encouraging collaboration, respect, and a strong sense of belonging, we empower every individual to thrive and lead with confidence. Times are changing. Women are evolving. And at Neokred, we do not just support that growth, we thrive on it.” 

Jaya Virwani, Chief Wellbeing Officer and DE&I Leader, EY GDS

“As AI and emerging technologies rapidly reshape industries, women leaders are helping guide this transformation with empathy, clarity and a deep sense of responsibility. At EY GDS, we are increasing the number of women in technology roles and strengthening the STEM pipeline through focused hiring, learning pathways and mentorship. We are also investing heavily in AI literacy for all our people so they can participate confidently in the digital future. Our approach to inclusion is broad and intersectional, but we apply a strong gender lens because real and sustainable progress needs deliberate action. In the coming years, I believe we will see more women shaping responsible AI, leading digital programs and influencing how technology evolves to serve society fairly. When women thrive in tech, innovation moves forward for everyone."

Janaki Yarlagadda, Chairman, Blue Cloud Softech Solutions Limited

 “On International Women’s Day, the focus must move beyond representation to women shaping strategy, governance and enterprise-wide decisions. As technology redefines employment, women in leadership are not just participants in transformation but architects of it. At Blue Cloud Softech Solutions, we believe inclusive leadership strengthens resilience, sharpens decision-making and drives sustainable value creation. When women build and lead companies, they create ecosystems that expand opportunity, embed accountability and cultivate trust. The future of work will be defined by institutions designed by leaders who enable others to rise.”

Mandy Andress, CISO, Elastic

“This International Women's Day, we recognise that when we invest in women, offering time, influence, and opportunity, we exponentially increase our collective strength in STEM and innovation. Their talent, diverse perspectives, and better ideas are essential for developing technology that uplifts the world.

While countries like India see women account for over 42 percent of STEM graduates, the dramatic drop-off in senior technical and executive roles is a global concern. This discrepancy represents a massive, untapped capability at a time when the world urgently needs skilled technologists. For me, as a CISO, equity in STEM isn't merely a matter of fairness. It is fundamental to our resilience and innovation pipeline.”

Praniti Lakhwara, CIO, Zscaler

“India is moving fast on AI supported by clear policy direction and a rapidly evolving technology ecosystem. It’s an exciting moment, because AI has the potential to accelerate everything from citizen services and financial inclusion to enterprise innovation and productivity. But as adoption scales, so does complexity and the attack surface grows right alongside it. That’s why trusted, AI-enabled security and a future-ready cybersecurity workforce aren’t “nice to have.” They’re essential to sustaining India’s digital growth with confidence. At the same time, businesses are under pressure to innovate quickly often across hybrid environments, distributed users, and expanding data footprints. That’s also why representation and inclusive talent development matter so much, especially in a field like cybersecurity, where diverse thinking directly strengthens outcomes. Women bring critical perspectives to security: from risk assessment and policy to user-centric design and decision-making under pressure. When teams reflect the diversity of the communities and customers they serve, they’re better equipped to anticipate threats, challenge assumptions, and build security that works in the real world.

Through Women in Zscaler Empower (WIZE), we are building a community that fosters mentorship, accelerates career progression, and develops the next generation of leaders in cybersecurity. For many women, the biggest barriers aren’t capability or ambition they’re access, sponsorship, and visibility. WIZE is designed to help address that gap by creating connection, guidance, and pathways to leadership.” 

Pooja Vashisht, Head - Marketing & Communications, Techno Digital

"In infrastructure, we design redundancy to eliminate risk. In leadership, we must design opportunity to eliminate exclusion. This International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” is not philosophical; it is operational. Progress in mission-critical industries like digital infrastructure happens when access is intentional and opportunity is structured. Digital infrastructure runs on precision, discipline, and long-horizon thinking. It performs better when the teams designing power systems, planning capacity, managing risk, and shaping strategy reflect diverse expertise. Inclusion is not a parallel initiative; it is a performance advantage. Mentorship compounds capability. Gender equity in STEM will not be solved by visibility alone. It will be solved by access to core functions, to boardroom discussions, to technical ownership, and to leadership pathways. We are deliberate about creating those pathways. Infrastructure excellence and inclusive leadership are interdependent. When women are trusted to design, operate, and lead mission-critical environments, the organisation becomes more resilient by design.”

Roshana Atmaram, Sr. Director – FW Engineering at WD (formerly Western Digital)

 "Innovation thrives when diverse talent comes together, takes ownership, and is empowered to push the boundaries of what's possible. In core engineering domains like firmware and storage, women engineers play a critical role in solving complex, system-level challenges that power AI and platforms at scale. My focus has been on building a strong centre of competence in India, where engineering excellence, mentorship, and original thinking come together, so our women engineers are not just participating, but helping to shape global technology roadmaps and contributing to core intellectual property with confidence and impact. This is also why this year's "give to gain" motto deeply resonates with me. At WD, we are fostering a culture where we strive to give opportunity, mentorship, and trust to gain innovation, leadership and transformation.” 

Ridhima Sawant, Chief Transformation Officer, Orient Technologies Limited

“This International Women’s Day, we at Orient Technologies believe the focus must shift from celebration to sustained action. Talent is not scarce; retention and progression systems are and strengthening them will define the next decade for women in tech. Structured mentorship and guidance are especially critical for women returning to work, enabling renewed confidence, capability and career continuity. Inclusion must be powered by capability building, not just campaigns, with focused reskilling in high-growth areas such as AI, cloud and cybersecurity. Through our 2nd Inning program, we are committed to building clear pathways for women to return, upskill and lead in the decade ahead.”

Dr. Revathi Mannepalli, Joint Wireless Advisor, Government of India

 “On this International Women’s Day 2026, let us reaffirm that connectivity is more than technology—it is empowerment. When we bridge the digital divide, we unlock the limitless potential of women to lead, innovate, and transform societies. A truly connected nation is one where every woman has equal access to networks of knowledge, opportunity, and progress.”

Stella Joshua, Senior Director - HR, APJ, EverPure (earlier known as Pure Storage)

“The International Women’s Day 2026 theme, 'Give To Gain,' emphasizes a powerful truth: giving is not a subtraction; it's intentional multiplication. In the modern workplace, giving isn’t just about resources; it’s about giving visibility and standing for truth. When we give credit through ‘active crediting’—amplifying a woman's voice in the room—we gain diverse perspectives. When we give women the tools to drop the ‘politeness tax’ of unnecessary apologies, we gain powerful leaders. And crucially, when managers dismantle their 'protective hesitation' and stop withholding honest feedback out of fear of being perceived as biased, we gain a culture of deep psychological safety and accelerated career growth. By giving our advocacy and precise feedback, we aren't just supporting women; we are multiplying our collective success." 

Sandhya Arun, Chief Technology Officer, Wipro Ltd.

 “International Women’s Day reminds us that as technology advances, representation of women in technology leadership must keep pace. Though more women are entering STEM and digital careers, their presence in senior technology roles remains limited.

As technology becomes more deeply embedded in business and society, inclusive leadership shapes not just innovation, but outcomes. Creating space for women in senior technology roles brings broader perspectives into decision making and strengthens how systems are built and applied. At Wipro, this means investing in leadership pathways that enable women to grow into influential technology roles and contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s digital future. Inclusion, when built into talent development and leadership design, helps ensure technology is created with responsibility, balance, and long-term impact in mind.”

Swetha Srivastava, Practice Head – Data Analytics and AI, Inspira Enterprise

"Despite the increasing awareness of gender disparity, women remain underrepresented in technology leadership, and that includes cybersecurity. As cyber threats evolve, it is equally critical for our technology and leadership to follow. To establish a more inclusive and competitive industry, organizations have to launch initiatives to support and advance women in leadership. Structured leadership development programs focused on upskilling and networking build relevant skills and confidence in women to step into leadership roles while expanding their professional networks. As the Practice Head, Data Analytics and AI at Inspira Enterprise, I believe women technology leaders bring a fresh perspective and strategic thinking that can fuel innovation to strengthen digital defenses, helping organizations to stay a step ahead of emerging threats. This International Women’s Day, I celebrate the courage and commitment of women leaders who overcome barriers of gender bias in the tech industry to achieve their goals."

Shilpa Dua, CHRO, NIIT Limited 

“On International Women’s Day (IWD), we celebrate the women who are shaping the future through talent, skills, and leadership. Empowering women with opportunities to learn, grow, and lead is not just the right thing to do—it is essential for building stronger organizations and societies. At NIIT, we remain committed to building an inclusive workplace through diversity-focused hiring practices, leadership development initiatives, and continuous efforts to ensure women have equal opportunities to rise and lead. When we support and recognize women, we create a better world for everyone. The choices we make today can shape a more equal and successful future for all.”

Virginia Galarón, Customer Advocate Director, New Relic

“International Women’s Day is a strong reminder that progress in India’s technology landscape is built on mutual support and shared investment in one another’s success. Women now constitute 43% of STEM graduates in India, one of the highest in the world. Yet, there’s the potential is lost in the transition to the workforce, where women’s representation in executive roles falls to 4-8%. The ‘give to gain' mindset is essential to plugging this gap. When we invest in one another through time, mentorship, advocacy, education or simply visibility, we create more opportunity for everyone. When women thrive, industries grow stronger, innovation accelerates and communities become more resilient.

For women in tech, clarity of purpose is a gift you can give yourself. Every project has an intended outcome. Understanding that outcome early allows you to prioritise effectively, influence decisions, and deliver results that truly matter. When you anchor your work in purpose, you build confidence and credibility that compound over time.

Your voice is also a contribution. There will be moments when you are the only woman in the room. That can feel daunting, but it is also powerful. Being the only one means you bring a perspective that is not yet represented. Diverse thinking is essential to solving complex challenges, and your insight may be the catalyst that changes the direction of a conversation or a strategy. By speaking up, you are not just advancing your own career. You are expanding what leadership looks like for others.”

Vinny Sharma, Senior Director - Global, Field & Channel Marketing, Securonix

“Cybersecurity is often seen as technical and intense, but for me, it has always been deeply human. At its core, it’s about trust - helping organizations feel secure, prepared, and resilient in a constantly changing world. As a woman in marketing within cybersecurity, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening, asking thoughtful questions, and creating space for collaboration. It’s about translating complexity into clarity and helping others move forward with confidence.

Over the years, I’ve realized that empathy, adaptability, and resilience - qualities many women naturally bring to leadership - are powerful strengths in this industry. They allow us to bridge gaps between technical teams and business leaders, between strategy and execution, and between challenge and opportunity. At Securonix, my role goes beyond building campaigns. It’s about enabling people, empowering our teams, supporting our sales partners, and contributing to a culture that values diverse perspectives and shared success.

This International Women’s Day, I reflect on the importance of leading with purpose and authenticity. When we support one another, embrace innovation, and bring our whole selves to the table, we don’t just grow professionally - we help shape a more inclusive and resilient future for our industry.”