Give To Gain this International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day takes place on March the 8th and this year’s theme is #GiveToGain.

The IWD 2026 Give To Gain Campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration.

The focus for IWD campaigns (past and present), is a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

In 2026, International Women’s Day marks 115 years of women’s achievement. 

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is no stranger to enigmatic female leaders be it in history or present day.

Chief Executive at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Denise Park started her role on 1 May, 2019. She said:

“As Chief Executive I recognise and appreciate the workforce of the council. There is so much that staff want to make sure they give to our residents especially making sure our services are delivered to a high standard. This would also be an impossible task without the women that continue to support me and the council in each area of work that we undertake.

“IWD is a reminder of just how much we value our female workforce and all that they bring to their roles.”

Barbara Castle was one of the most influential and iconic female politicians this country has ever seen, she was Blackburn’s MP between 1945 and 1979.

Barbara was passionate about women’s rights and fiercely campaigned for equal pay.

Her ‘giving’ included fulfilling her party’s pledge to raise retirement pensions and other social benefits. Barbara Castle masterminded a new earnings-related and inflation-proof pension scheme.

Barbara Castle became Secretary of State for Health and Social Services in 1974. With the role, she made some more changes.

• Increased benefits
• The introduction of the mobility allowance.
• The Invalid Care Allowance (1976) for single women and others who give up their jobs to care for severely disabled relatives.
• The introduction of a non-contributory invalidity pension for disabled persons who had not qualified for invalidity pension.
• Reforms in child allowances.
• The linking of most social security benefits to earnings rather than prices.

Learn more about her: Barbara Castle | The Shuttle: Blackburn with Darwen Council News

More details about IWD: International Women’s Day 2026