Posted by ccld201
18 February 2026The 8th March marks International Women’s Day, a day on which the world comes together to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights promises that ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights […]’. And that includes women and girls. This year, the UN demand ‘rights, justice and action for all women’.
The Dignity & Democracy Blog is editing a Special Series on women and girls, dignity and democracy. What does it mean to be a woman or a girl in a democracy? It should be better than in an autocracy, but realities are more complex. Even in democracies, women and girls are increasingly denied their dignity, their essential freedom to be who they are and to live their life as they wish. The quality of democracy does not just depend on the right to vote and on majority politics, but also on fulfilling the dignity promise.
Give to gain: wherever in the world you are based and no matter your discipline or type of engagement with human dignity, human rights or democracy, you can contribute to our discussion on women and girls’ experiences. What is happening to women and girls in a democracy, and why? We invite you to share your reflection and ideal vision of what it means to be a woman or a girl in a democracy today.
We are running the series throughout March, so just get in touch to discuss an idea or submit a post.
Word limit: maximum 1000 words. Submission info.
Please email your submission and questions to dignitydemocracyblog-mailbox@exeter.ac.uk.
#GiveToGain
#IWD2026