Key Highlights
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International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) happens on June 23rd. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of women engineers and to raise support for gender diversity.
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The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) started this day. After getting UNESCO patronage, INWED is now an event that people celebrate all over the world.
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On this day, people talk about the remarkable contributions that female engineers have made. The hope is to inspire the future generations to come into the engineering field.
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INWED 2026 will be all about #EngineeringIntelligence. The focus will be to show the public the great work that women engineers do, both in Australia and around the world.
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In Australia, the engineering society and many organisations set up events and activities. These are the time for people to meet, connect, and celebrate achievements of women engineers.
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There are a few ways you can get involved. You might go to a workshop, share stories about women in engineering on social media, or find ways to support an international women or female engineers in the workplace.
Introduction
Welcome to our event for International Women in Engineering Day 2026! This day is a great time to shine a spotlight on women engineers who are helping to shape our world. We get to talk about what they have done, inspire future generations, and think about how we can make the engineering society more open and fair.
Here in Australia, we have so many female engineers who lead the way. Today, we honour what they have given to the field and hope for a future where gender diversity is normal in engineering.
Understanding International Women in Engineering Day
International Women in Engineering Day, or INWED, is all about shining a light on women in the engineering field. This global event happens every year on June 23rd. It celebrates the achievements of women engineers. The day also shows the exciting careers that girls and young women can have in engineering.
This day is led by the Women’s Engineering Society, with support from UNESCO. INWED is here to push for gender equality by sharing the stories of women and the vital role they play in the industry. When we recognise the work and achievements of women engineers, it can help more young women decide to get into this area. It means working to close the gender gap in the field.
Origins and Global Significance
The story of International Women in Engineering Day starts with the Women’s Engineering Society in the United Kingdom. The engineering society began in 1919, just after the end of the First World War. During that time, many women stepped into technical jobs. When the war ended, it was hard for them to stay in those roles as engineers. So, a few women who wanted change started the women’s engineering society. They worked hard to stand up for equal rights.
To mark the 95th anniversary, the group set up National Women in Engineering Day in the UK on June 23, 2014. This special day quickly got a lot of interest from people around the world. Because more and more people supported it, the day became International Women in Engineering Day in 2017.
Now, the meaning of this day is clear right across the world. With UNESCO patronage since 2016, INWED has become a global event. It shows the remarkable contributions of women working as engineers. It also gives a spotlight to female engineers, who are still not seen enough in the field. INWED inspires future generations across the world to think about a career in engineering, which makes the day very important for the global engineering society.
Purpose and Mission of INWED
The main reason for International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is to show the amazing work women engineers are doing all over the world. It gives a space to highlight their achievements and skills. This is important because women are still not seen enough in the engineering profession. The day is here to celebrate what they have done and to get more young women and girls interested in jobs in engineering.
INWED has a vital role in breaking down old thoughts about what engineering is and who can do it. It puts a spotlight on the different perspectives and the achievements of women engineers. With this, INWED shows everyone that engineering can be a good career for people from all walks of life. The global support for international women in engineering helps to remove barriers and build a workplace where all can feel they belong.
At the end of the day, we want to set up a strong pathway for the next generation of female engineers. INWED gets schools, organisations, and individuals involved. It leads to talks and activities that help move things closer to gender equality. The goal is to let the engineering industry grow by including the talent and ideas from a diverse and open workforce.
Celebrating Australian Women Engineers
Here in Australia, there are many reasons to be proud of women engineers. These skilled workers are giving a lot to every field of engineering. They help build greener cities and come up with new medical technology. Their work is shaping the future of engineering, and it even makes a big difference in our lives every day.
It’s important to talk about the achievements of women engineers. When we share their stories, it helps the engineering profession. It also shows young women that engineering can be a good job for them. When we cheer on their leadership and ideas, we give hope to those who want to join this field. Now, let’s see some great stories of these women and learn how they have changed things for us all.
Notable Achievements and Leadership Stories
Putting the spotlight on the big wins and the leadership stories of Australian women engineers is a good way to celebrate INWED. These stories show not just each person’s skills, but also the wide range of chances in the engineering profession. In every area, from schools to businesses, women are taking the lead on projects and teams that go beyond what many would think possible.
For instance, panel talks usually have amazing women who talk about their own journey and what they learned along the way. There are events, like the one at the University of Wollongong, that bring inspiring leaders together to chat about their experiences. Some of the panellists who have been part of these talks include:
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Prof. Judy Raper AM: A well-known Chemical Engineer and a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation.
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Maysa Safadi: A Senior Engineering Manager and a Board Director of Women Illawarra.
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Prof. Tim McCarthy: Honorary Professor in Sustainable Engineering.
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Nathan McBriarty: Manager of Infrastructure Strategy & Planning.
When we share these stories at events or on social media, it helps build a strong and visible group of women engineers. It also gives good role models to those who want to be engineers in the future and shows the real value that women bring to the engineering profession.
Impact on Engineering and Innovation in Australia
The contributions of women engineers have changed the way people see engineering and new ideas all over Australia. Female engineers add a lot to the field. They give new and different ways to look at problems. This helps build creativity and push things forward. Their skills and thinking are needed, the way they tackle hard things like climate change and look after the environment, or build the right technology and plan for strong infrastructure.
Women play a vital role in finding better and fair answers for everyone. In areas like planning cities or working on making things safe and lasting for years, their leadership is key. With them in charge, projects can better meet what people and the environment need. Taking this multifaceted approach brings good results. It helps build a strong and brighter future for Australia.
When people talk about the achievements of women and tell others about INWED, it can grow this effect. INWED helps the world see what good comes from having gender diversity in the workforce. When women get to lead and put their ideas forward, all people in engineering get better chances. This helps Australia shine on the world stage, showing strong, good work by backing achievements of women engineers.
Ways to Get Involved in INWED 2026
Are you feeling ready to join in with INWED 2026? There are lots of ways you can be part of it and show your support! It doesn’t matter if you are a student, an individual, or your work is with a big group, what you do really helps young women look at STEM fields.
You can go to events or share your story online. Every little thing you do helps make a supportive network for women in engineering. If you join the fun, you become a part of a worldwide movement for more diversity and inclusion in the engineering society. Let’s see how you can get involved.
Participating as an Individual or Organisation
Anyone can get involved in INWED. That means people, parents, big companies, and schools can all take part. If you help out, you make the message louder, and it builds a more supportive network for women engineers.
If you are a person on your own, you can join local events, post on social media, or talk with a young person about work in engineering. You can also use mentorship, and if you give your time and experience, it can really help a woman who is starting her own journey in this field.
If you are in an organisation, there are many ways for you to take part. You might want to run an event, support an INWED activity, or show off what your female engineers are doing. You can try these ideas:
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Hold a panel talk with women engineers who work at your company.
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Run a workshop that gives local young girls a look at life as engineers.
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Start a social media campaign and show off your female engineers.
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Set up mentorship programs so staff can help support other women on their own journey.
Popular Social Media Hashtags and Sharing Successes
Social media is a great way to share your wins and join the INWED talk with the world. It shines a spotlight on the achievements of women engineers and lets you reach lots of people. With so many eyes online each year, your post can be a part of something big and uplifting.
When you post a story, photo, or video, it is important to use the right hashtags. The hashtags help many people see your post. They link your message to the main INWED campaign and help the event stand out.
Are you keen to tell your own story or cheer for a woman engineer you know? Be sure to add some of the top hashtags if you want to join us. Here are a few common hashtags you can use:
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#INWED26: The official tag for the 2026 campaign.
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#EngineeringIntelligence: The 2026 INWED theme.
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#InternationalWomenInEngineeringDay: The event’s full name.
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#WomenInEngineering: A good tag to use all through the year to mark the achievements of women engineers.
Events and Activities Across Australia
All around Australia, you will find many events and things to do for INWED. Engineering groups, universities, and different companies all set up workshops, talks, and times to meet new people. These things give female engineers and the people who support them a good chance to get together, talk about what they do, and help make their community stronger.
It does not matter if you are in a big city or living in the country, because there is usually something happening close by. These events are made to be open, so everyone can join in. From people who have been in their work for years, to students just starting to think about jobs, all can join. Here are some types of events you might find.
Featured INWED Events and Workshops
INWED events and workshops in Australia are designed to engage, educate, and inspire. You’ll find a range of activities hosted by organisations like the Women’s Research Engineers Network (WREN) and various universities. These events often feature panel discussions with leading female engineers, hands-on workshops for young girls, and valuable networking opportunities.
For example, the University of Wollongong has previously hosted an INWED event with a panel discussion and networking session. The theme was “Together We Engineer – Building Better Careers and Workplaces,” focusing on how diversity and inclusivity foster success. These are great opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders.
To give you an idea of what to look for, here is an example of a past event schedule. Keep an eye on local engineering society websites for INWED 2026 announcements.
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Event Type |
Description |
Target Audience |
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Panel Discussion |
Features engineers from academia and industry sharing experiences on topics like overcoming challenges and building diverse workplaces. |
Professionals, students, academics |
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Networking Session |
An opportunity to connect with peers, industry professionals, and academics over light refreshments after a main event. |
Everyone |
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Workshops |
Hands-on activities designed to introduce young girls to the fun and creativity of engineering. |
School-aged students |
Organisers and How to Connect
International Women in Engineering Day is a project from the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). WES started way back in 1919 and is a charity from the UK. For over one hundred years, WES has backed women in engineering and tried to make the industry open to everyone. Every year, they are the main organisers of the global INWED campaign.
Since the campaign began, it has got much bigger. In 2016, it picked up support from UNESCO and that helped make it more international. WES leads the way, but INWED works so well thanks to many partners, sponsors, and the people who give their time. In Australia, international women in engineering get help from groups like the Women’s Research Engineers Network (WREN), local universities, and professional engineering groups. These organisations often plan local events for the day.
If you want to join in or find out more, the first thing you can do is head to the official INWED website, which is managed by the Women’s Engineering Society. There, you can sign up to get their newsletter. It keeps you in the loop on what the theme is and all global events for the year. You can also reach out to local branches of engineering societies or university groups near you. This is a good way to know what’s on and become part of a supportive network.
Conclusion
In short, International Women in Engineering Day is a great way to remember the big role that international women play in the engineering field. It’s a day to think about all their hard work and push for more chances for female engineers. When we cheer for the wins of female engineers and support the next generation of female engineers, we help create a place that is open to everyone and full of new ideas.
You can be part of this by going to local events, sharing the good news about female engineers on social media, or talking about the importance of gender diversity in engineering. No action is too small. Each thing you do makes a real difference for this cause.
Let’s stand together for international women and female engineers. Celebrate all they do and help bring in a good future for the engineering field. Be part of this movement—it’s a good way to show we know the importance of gender diversity every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is International Women in Engineering Day celebrated?
International Women in Engineering Day is on June 23rd each year. The date marks the founding anniversary of the Women’s Engineering Society. It is kept the same every year to honour the achievements of women engineers and to encourage people around the world to learn more about this profession. This day puts the focus on what women engineers do, and why their work is so important in the world of engineering.
Who can participate in INWED activities?
Everyone can be part of INWED. This means people, students, parents, schools, universities, organisations, and companies of every size. The day is for women engineers to get the spotlight. It is also a good time for everyone to cheer on and help young women think about careers in engineering.
How can achievements be shared on social media for INWED?
It is easy and powerful to share the achievements of women engineers on social media for INWED. Just put up a story, photo, or message that celebrates the work of women in engineering. Be sure to use the official hashtags like #INWED26 and #EngineeringIntelligence. This way, your post joins the worldwide campaign and helps more people see and know about the great achievements of women engineers and INWED.