International Women's Day

The UN theme for IWD this year is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. And so today we celebrate the women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation and response, and to honour their leadership and contribution towards a sustainable future.

2022 is a pivotal year for achieving gender equality in the context of climate change, and environmental and disaster risk reduction, which are some of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future, and an equal future, remains beyond our reach.

Watch today's celebration

Prayer for International Women's Day

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Loving God,

Mary Ward dedicated her life to ensuring that women were empowered to fulfill whatever part God called them to play. On this International Women’s Day let us follow Mary’s example of faith and care for women, and pray for:

Women of courage, Women of hope, Women suffering, Women mourning, Women living fully, Women experiencing joy, Women delighting in life,

Women in need of support,

Women working for justice,

Women quietly tending the garden of human flourishing, Women knowing the interconnectedness of the human family, Women boldly leading the transformation of unjust global structures,

Women working to create and enact just climate action measures, Women giving Love, Women receiving Love, Women seeking Wisdom, Women sharing Wisdom.

Creator God, we celebrate your gifts and your love. On this day and every day, we commit ourselves to the promotion of the full humanity of all women everywhere. May we know and remember that whatever denies, diminishes, or distorts the full humanity of women is not of God and not worthy of us. Help us to be faithful to your call to love all your children. Give us the courage to strive for what is right and to ensure that the women in our lives are sure of our respect for them.

Amen.