International Women in Engineering Day
June 23
About International Women in Engineering Day
International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) takes place on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, marking the 13th annual celebration of women working in engineering across the world. Organised by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), the day focuses global attention on the achievements of women engineers and the urgent need to attract more women into the profession. The 2026 theme is #EngineeringIntelligence.
What is International Women in Engineering Day?
International Women in Engineering Day is an awareness day dedicated to celebrating the work of women engineers and encouraging more girls and women to pursue engineering careers. The day is organised by the Women’s Engineering Society, a UK-based charity founded in 1919, and has UNESCO patronage. INWED highlights the gender imbalance in engineering and showcases the diverse career paths the profession offers, from biomedical engineering to aerospace, civil engineering, and software development.
When is International Women in Engineering Day?
International Women in Engineering Day falls on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. The date is fixed and never changes because it commemorates the founding of the Women’s Engineering Society on 23 June 1919, when seven women including Lady Katharine Parsons and her daughter Rachel Parsons created the organisation in the wake of the First World War.
Why International Women in Engineering Day Matters
Despite engineering being one of the most influential professions shaping modern life, women remain significantly underrepresented. Across the UK, women make up only around 16.5% of the engineering workforce, and the figures are similar or lower in many other countries. With a global engineering skills shortage, the case for bringing more women into the field is both moral and economic. INWED challenges the stereotype that engineering is a male profession and gives visibility to role models who can inspire the next generation of girls to consider technical careers.
How to Get Involved in International Women in Engineering Day
There are many meaningful ways to participate, whether you are an engineer, educator, employer, or supporter:
- Use the official hashtag – Share posts using #INWED2026 and #EngineeringIntelligence on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram to amplify the voices of women engineers in your network.
- Profile a woman engineer at your workplace – Run an internal campaign featuring the women engineers in your business, highlighting their projects, career paths, and advice for newcomers.
- Organise a school outreach session – Visit a local primary or secondary school to talk about engineering. Hands-on activities such as bridge-building challenges work well to engage younger students.
- Host a panel or webinar – Invite women engineers from different sectors to discuss their experiences, the challenges they have faced, and the opportunities they see ahead.
- Mentor a young woman in STEM – Offer to mentor a student or early-career engineer through schemes such as the WES Mentoring Programme or the STEM Ambassadors network.
- Donate or fundraise for WES – The Women’s Engineering Society relies on donations to run scholarships, awards, and outreach. A small contribution helps fund the next generation of women engineers.
- Audit your workplace inclusion practices – Use the day as a prompt to review recruitment language, parental leave, flexible working, and progression rates for women in technical roles.
History of International Women in Engineering Day
The origins of INWED are tied to the founding story of the Women’s Engineering Society itself. WES was established on 23 June 1919 by a group of seven pioneering women who had seen women take on engineering work during the First World War, only to face restrictions when men returned from the front. The society’s mission was to safeguard and expand the role of women in the profession.
Almost a century later, in 2014, WES celebrated its 95th anniversary. To mark the occasion, then-president Dawn Bonfield MBE launched National Women in Engineering Day on 23 June 2014. The day proved an immediate success, attracting attention from universities, professional bodies, and major engineering employers across the UK.
In 2016 the day received UNESCO patronage, and the following year it became truly global, rebranded as International Women in Engineering Day. Since then, INWED has been marked by events in dozens of countries, with engineering institutions in Australia, the United States, India, and across Europe taking part. Each year a new theme drives the conversation. Past themes have included #InventorsAndInnovators, #MakeSafetySeen, and #EnhancedByEngineering. The 2026 theme, #EngineeringIntelligence, reflects the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and the need for diverse perspectives shaping the technologies of the future.
Noteworthy Facts About International Women in Engineering Day
- INWED was founded in 2014 to mark the 95th anniversary of the Women’s Engineering Society.
- The 2026 theme is #EngineeringIntelligence, focusing on women shaping AI, data, and emerging technologies.
- Women make up around 16.5% of the UK engineering workforce, up from less than 10% a decade ago.
- WES was co-founded by Lady Katharine Parsons and her daughter Rachel Parsons, who became its first president.
- UNESCO has officially patroned INWED since 2016, helping the day grow internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Women in Engineering Day?
It is an annual awareness day, run by the Women’s Engineering Society, that celebrates the achievements of women engineers and encourages more girls and women to enter the profession.
When is International Women in Engineering Day in 2026?
It takes place on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. The date is fixed every year because it is the anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Engineering Society in 1919.
Who organises International Women in Engineering Day?
The day is organised by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), a UK charity founded in 1919, and is patronised by UNESCO. WES sets the annual theme and provides free resources for participants worldwide.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing International Women in Engineering Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #INWED2026 and #EngineeringIntelligence on social media. The more people who know about INWED, the bigger the impact on the next generation of engineers.
Related Awareness Days
- World Metrology Day – Celebrates the science of measurement, a foundation of all engineering disciplines.
- National Science Week – Australia’s celebration of science and technology, including engineering achievements.
- Wright Brothers Day – Honours pioneering engineers and the birth of powered flight.
Links
- Visit the official International Women in Engineering Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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