Women's History Month is held in March every year to coincide with International Women's Day.
The theme – For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment – emphasised the need for global action on gender equality and justice.
We planned a full programme of events, including lectures and workshops. Read about a couple of our popular events.
This year's keynote speaker was Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles, the University’s own alumni and academic colleague, as well as ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø’s first Black female mayor.
Through powerful and heartfelt storytelling, Dr Alice shared her extraordinary journey, reflecting on personal challenges alongside her commitment to driving meaningful and lasting change.
The live interview session offered deep insight into the passion, resilience, and bold decision-making that have shaped her leadership and transformed the local community. Discussions covered breast cancer health challenges, academia, social justice, bereavement, volunteering, and the complex gender and racial dynamics Black women face.
Guests were treated to a lively performance by Peter Doyle, co-founder of World Groove CIC, and Tomson Chauke, founder of the Afro-fusion band Limpopo Groove, whose rhythmic drumming set an energetic tone for the evening.
The event was both deeply inspirational and profoundly impactful, leaving attendees in awe of the stories shared and the messages conveyed.
This series of free online talks gave guests an exciting chance to dive into the University's art collection. They explored the collection with expert curators, conservators, and scholars, discovering the stories behind the artworks and learning about creative processes.
Dr Rhi Smith, Director of Academic Learning and Engagement (Museums and Collections), shared her latest research on 20th-century women artists in the University’s collection.
This engaging talk also formed part of the University’s centenary celebrations, bringing the artworks and their histories vividly to life.
Dr Helen Ringrow and Dr Charlotte Boyce from the University of Portsmouth presented their research project, a media literacy toolkit. Co-created with young women, the toolkit has been designed to give young people the knowledge and confidence needed to engage critically with body-image messaging in the media.
The Doctors explained why the toolkit was so urgently needed, highlighted key insights from the research, and provided a preview of the toolkit.
The event also included behind-the-scenes reflections from the research team and outlined exciting plans for the future.
An uplifting International Women’s Day celebration that brought together students, staff, and local residents in a free, trans-inclusive setting.
The evening explored themes of justice, generosity, and sustainable, people-centred change, featuring reflections from local leaders, academics, and global voices. After the talks, guests enjoyed tea and cake, interactive activities, yoga, tap dancing, crafts, and a quiz, with free sanitary products and a raffle of self-care prizes.