International Women's Day 2025

International Women's Day 2025

Our commitment to #AccelerateAction

International Women’s Day 2025 focuses on the need to take swift and decisive steps right now to achieve gender equality. At Kent, we have been working both systematically and at a grassroots level to accelerate our commitment to inclusive action.

Our annual Equality Pay Gap Report tracks our progress in reducing Gender, Ethnicity and Disability related pay gaps. Whilst gender pay gap reporting is a statutory requirement, we have also chosen to report our ethnicity and disability pay gaps to enable transparent annual progress tracking. We continue to champion a vision of a diverse and inclusive working environment although sustained and purposeful change takes time.

Our gender pay gap has reduced since last year, although the mean pay gap remains far too big at 13.2%, down from 14.5% last year. The median gender pay gap is 11.7% against the latest sector figure of 10%. There remain large gaps between what women and men are paid on average right across Higher Education, reflecting structural inequalities in the make-up of academia that the sector as a whole is trying to address.

Our work on Athena SWAN remains unwavering, with an active taskforce continuously implementing, monitoring, and reviewing our Athena SWAN Silver action plan and tracking the data and impact on gender equality at Kent. More recently, the Division of Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences were awarded Athena SWAN Silver status for their work in gender equality in summer 2024. We continue to monitor and track the gender balance on our major decision-making Committees, with a 30.5% increase in the proportion of female staff represented on central University committees.

Kent has several initiatives designed to support women and provide networking opportunities in the workplace, from the Women’s Network and WReN (female researchers) Network to the Menopause Café. Our Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day activity is also part of our active support culture and ongoing conversation about gender equality taking place across the University.

Our initiatives supporting women

Here are some of initiatives at Kent that are designed to support women and provide networking opportunities in the workplace.

India Women in Leadership Scholarship

Last year, we proudly launched the India Women in Leadership Scholarship, offering five scholarships to support aspiring female leaders from India. Covering 50% of the tuition fees for one year of study, the scholarship is available to students applying to our taught Master's programmes.

To celebrate International Women's Day, we caught up with the recipients to find out how they are getting on.

"This scholarship reduced my stress and the financial burden.

It allowed me to focus completely on a stressless academic journey. This has become the major financial aid and strengthened my roots to get succeed. With all the support of the university, my mother, and my wellwishers, I have been able to start my new and exciting journey.

Poorvika Ravikumar, MSc International Business and Management with an Industrial Placement

"After moving here, I am even more content with my decision.

I have loved all the modules I’ve done so far, and they have been extremely supportive of my interests and desire for knowledge in the neuropsychology field.

Varidhi Varadarangan, HMSc Cognitive Psychology/ Neuropsychology

"I give my heartfelt wishes to all who acknowledge women's contributions

in society. So far, my experience at Kent has been both enriching and challenging, but the unwavering support from my faculty, family, and friends has been invaluable, providing encouragement during moments of self-doubt and pressure.

Parvathy Rajeev, MSc Forensic Psychology

3 - 7 March 2025

Inspiring Women's Week

Our Careers and Employment Service have put together Inspiring Women Week, which in support of International Women’s Day, spotlights the experience of women across a variety of industries. Come and hear our guest speakers who will share their advice.

See all events

Help us celebrate

To commemorate International Women's Day on March 8th, we have a number of events in March, so see what's on and get involved!

Talks presented by Women's Network - for staff

University staff can come along in person or join online to hear from two speakers, both are our in-house talents: Sarah Bilik and Joanna Scamp.

International Women's Day Networking

Come along to this networking event where you will hear from a diverse range of inspirational female speakers, with an interest in health, nutrition and sport.

MBA Guest Lecture Series Event (Women in Leadership)

In celebration of International Women's Day, we invite you to hear from a panel of inspiring female leaders, including Dr Samantha Evans, Senior Lecturer in HRM at Kent Business School.

International Women’s Day DIY Card Station

Take a moment to appreciate the incredible women in your life—whether it’s a friend, mentor, family member, or even yourself—by creating a heartfelt card to show your appreciation and empowerment.

The Seed Of The Sacred Fig

Watch this film showing at the Gulbenkian that is a profoundly courageous portrait of modern-day Iran through the prism of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests".

International Women's Day Badge-Making

Join ResLife Ambassadors Aashvi and Nehi to design and create your own custom badges featuring empowering messages and artwork to honour women everywhere.

Women's Business Market

On the 18th of March, Kent Students’ Union will be joined at the Plaza by women-owned businesses.

Fee Mak shares her broadcasting skills

As part of our International Women's Day celebrations, Kent alum and BBC 1xtra radio host Fee Mak returned to our campus and delivered a masterclass in broadcasting for young women aged 14-18. Six participants were selected from across Kent and learnt aspects of interviewing, creating links and networking in the industry.

As she shared her skills Fee told us "I feel like it's important to share the wisdom that I have learned throughout my journey to these young women because they might have a spark, but not know who to talk to, where to go."

Women-led student project secures European Space Agency funding

Emily Perry, a PhD student in Kent’s School of Psychology, is part of an all-women research team which has secured funding from the European Space Agency (ESA) Academy Experiments Programme to explore the impact of non-invasive brain stimulation in spaceflight conditions.

Find out about their research