International Women’s Day 2026

Happy International Women’s Day 2026!

International Women’s Day has been celebrated for over 100 years, but we still live in a world where inequalities exist between women and men. The 2024 Space Census shows us that while in some areas we are improving in the sector, women are still underrepresented, making up only 35% on average, and 30% in industry.

We have complied a list of resources for women in space and in wider STEM sectors, including groups and programmes you can join to receive support and make connections, as well as offer advice to women in the sector, and those who want to join.

UNOOSA Space4Women

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs ‘Space4Women’ programme empowers women in the space sector, and encourages women and girls to pursue STEM education and careers. Space4Women has conducted studies to understand female representation in the sector, and then works to identify and address the reasons and barriers for this inequality. Their aims are to:

• Communicate the opportunities of STEM education, and facilitate access to space education and careers
• Provide policy-relevant advice, knowledge management, and research and data to institutions and governments on “Space for Women” and “Women for Space”
• Facilitate capacity-building and training of individuals on access to and use of space technology to train, generate skills, and foster knowledge
• Provide a mentoring platform for advocacy and to build the capacities and confidence of the women space leaders of tomorrow
• Empower young women and girls to be both the beneficiary of, and an active and integral contributor to space solutions

Women in Aerospace (WIA) Europe

Originally a US-based group, WIA has expanded across the world, including it’s Europe network. WIA connects women in the aerospace industry and focuses on advancing the industry as a whole, and dedicating themselves to supporting career advancement and visibility of women in the sector. WIA hosts a variety of events including working groups, networking sessions, and an annual symposium. Joining WIA provides:

• Access to a supportive network
• Professional development opportunities
• Career advancement and opportunities
• Advocacy for gender equality

Lean In

While not specific to the space sector, Lean In is a great resource for women in the workplace in general, providing information for structured sessions and a community dedicated to creating equal and inclusive workplaces. At Satellite Applications Catapult, we have a Lean In Circle that meets regularly and connects with other women’s groups across the Catapult Network.

Lean In also conduct studies and campaigns to research prevalent issues such as the gender pay gap, and raise awareness of the vital issues women in the workplace face everyday. Their mission is:

We help women achieve their ambitions and work to create an equal world

Women in STEM

Women and girls in science, tech, engineering, and maths is an initiative whose ultimate goal is to close the gender gap in the STEM sectors. They work towards this goal by promoting STEM opportunities for women, bridging stereotypes, and publishing expert content on how to gain access to and continue STEM careers.

Women in STEM work with not just women in the workplace, but also young women and girls at school, showcasing female role models in STEM industries and engaging with students, with the goal of building a gender-balanced workforce.

LinkedIn Groups

The ‘group’ feature of LinkedIn allows connections with like-minded people and fosters community and collaboration. There are a number of women-based groups, included ones specific to space and STEM sectors.