International Women's Day 2026 Teaching Resources
Celebrate International Women's Day 2026 in your classroom with printables, digital activities, worksheets and crafts for primary school teachers, created by primary school teachers.
Filled with fact sheets, profiles of inspirational women, IWD activity task cards, and classroom worksheets, this teaching resource collection will help you to celebrate contemporary and historical women and continue important conversations about gender equality issues.
This collection of teacher-created resources has options for every year level in primary school to save you time on your lesson planning so you can get back to doing what you really love — teaching! Most resources are curriculum-aligned and editable, so you can differentiate work for individual students. Each has undergone rigorous review by an expert teacher on the Teach Starter team.
Teaching on International Women's Day for the first time this year or looking for some fresh ideas? Our teacher team has you covered!
What Is International Women's Day?
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global holiday that has been celebrated on 8 March every year since the early 1900s. A few must-know facts:
- The event originated in the United States in the early 1900s as a way to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
- The first IWD was observed on 28 February in 1909, in New York City, and it was organised by the Socialist Party of America in honour of a 1908 strike by garment workers, most of whom were immigrant women.
- In 1911, IWD was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, and it continued to spread to other countries in Europe and around the world.
- In 1975, the United Nations (UN) began celebrating IWD, and it has been recognised by the UN ever since.
- Today, IWD is celebrated in countries around the world — including here in Australia — and is an occasion to reflect on progress made, call for change, and celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
When Is International Women's Day 2026?
What Is the International Women's Day Theme for 2026?
Each year, a new theme for International Women's Day is declared, giving teachers a chance to focus their lesson planning on one specific topic. This year's theme is 'Give To Gain,' focusing on generosity, reciprocity and collective support to advance gender equality.
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Inspirational Woman Profile – Greta Thunberg
A profile about Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
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Inspirational Women Profile Poster Pack
A set of 7 posters profiling inspirational women from around the world.
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Inspirational Woman Profile - Malala Yousafzai
A profile about Pakistani woman Malala Yousafzai.
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Inspirational Woman Profile - Dr. Mae Jemison
A profile about American woman Dr. Mae Jemison.
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Inspirational Woman Profile - Yuna Kim
A profile about Korean figure skater Yuna Kim.
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Inspirational Woman Profile- Brooke Boney
A profile about Gamilaroi woman and Australian journalist Brooke Boney.
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10 Inspiring International Women's Day Ideas for Primary Teachers
Bring International Women's Day into the classroom with free printables and ideas from teachers for your primary lesson plans!
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Inspirational Books About Young Women to Read in the Classroom This International Women's Day (and Beyond)
On International Women's Day, share these amazing children's books and activities with your students.