First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have marked International Women’s Day 2026 by hosting a celebration at Stormont for women from voluntary and grassroots organisations. The event highlighted the “often-unseen work” of community volunteers, aligning with this year’s global theme of “Give to Gain” — a call to recognise how generosity of time and skill creates collective progress.
The gathering at Parliament Buildings on 8 March brought together women who lead local charities, community groups, and support networks across Northern Ireland. The ministers were joined by Marissa Callaghan MBE, the former Northern Ireland women’s football captain, and 17-year-old Sophie Murray, a participant in the SistersIN leadership programme, alongside Moira Doherty, Interim Permanent Secretary at The Executive Office.
Ministers praise “quiet” community leadership
Both ministers emphasised the vital role of women who “quietly keep everything moving” through voluntary work and community support.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“International Women’s Day is about celebrating women in every part of our society, the women who step in, show up, volunteer, and quietly keep everything moving.
“At the event we recognised the contribution of women who give so much of themselves for others. We see women leading organisations, shaping decisions and setting new standards for what inclusive leadership looks like. And we see the women who simply get on with it every day giving their time, energy and courage to support others and strengthen their communities.
“This event was about thanking them and recognising the difference they make as we continue to build a future where every woman and every girl knows her worth.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly focused on the reciprocal nature of community work, tying it directly to the “Give to Gain” theme:
“This event was an opportunity to come together to honour the women whose work often goes unseen but is felt everywhere — the women who organise, support, care, advocate, and quietly hold communities together.
“This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’, speaks directly to the kind of leadership that women in our communities demonstrate every day. They give their time, skill and compassion because they care. And because of their giving, we all gain – safer streets, supported families, opportunities for young people, and places where people know they belong.
“We wanted to use this event to acknowledge their contribution and celebrate the difference we can all make when we give to gain.”
Generational perspectives on empowerment
The event featured contrasting perspectives from an established sporting figure and a sixth-form student, illustrating the cross-generational reach of mentorship programmes.
Marissa Callaghan MBE, who captained Northern Ireland to their first major tournament at Euro 2022 before retiring from international football in 2025, offered three words to the audience:
“I absolutely love International Women’s Day, and I think it’s so important for us as women to come together and share our stories. My three words to share today are opportunity, courage, and connection.
“Opportunity, be brave enough to take opportunities because they definitely come; courage, have the courage to embrace change, step out of your comfort zone – that’s where the real progress happens; and connection, find a group of people who challenge and inspire you.”
Sophie Murray, who is taking part in the SistersIN leadership programme — an eight-month initiative pairing sixth-form girls with female business mentors — spoke about the practical impact of mentorship:
“All these mentors have given me their time and knowledge which I will take with me into my future.
“I hope that everyone in this room will be like the positive role models I have talked about today and inspire the young women in their lives to make positive changes in future.”
Two themes, one day
While The Executive Office has embraced the “Give to Gain” theme — which encourages reciprocity and collective support — it is worth noting that this differs from the UN Women theme for 2026: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” The UN focus centres on dismantling structural barriers to justice, including discriminatory laws and weak legal protections.
The “Give to Gain” campaign, promoted by the International Women’s Day organisation, emphasises that “giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication” and encourages fundraising and volunteering. This aligns closely with Northern Ireland’s strong voluntary sector, where government programmes continue to support women in community development roles.
Unanswered questions
While the event celebrated existing contributions, several questions remain about concrete next steps:
- Will The Executive Office allocate specific funding to the grassroots groups represented, or expand the SistersIN programme beyond its current 50-school reach?
- How does the local “Give to Gain” celebration connect to the UN’s urgent call for justice system reform and legal equality?
- What specific policies are being advanced to address the structural barriers — such as access to legal aid or protection from violence — highlighted in the UN Women theme?
- Given that Marissa Callaghan noted a 600 per cent increase in girls playing football following the Euro 2022 qualification, what investment is planned to sustain this momentum in women’s sport?
- How will the government measure whether its “Give to Gain” activities translate into tangible gains for the most vulnerable women, including those in rural areas or affected by paramilitary influence?
What to watch for
The SistersIN programme’s celebration event at ICC Belfast on 24 March 2026 will offer another opportunity to assess how the private and public sectors are collaborating on female leadership development. Meanwhile, the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) continues in New York until 19 March, where global leaders are negotiating conclusions on access to justice for women — a theme that may yet influence local policy announcements.
For now, the Stormont event serves as a recognition of the voluntary labour that underpins Northern Irish communities, even as questions persist about how celebration will convert into structural support.