To mark International Women’s Day, two Groningen-based communities, Lean In Groningen and Women Devs, are hosting a free public event on Sunday, March 8, 2026, bringing people together for an afternoon of reflection, discussion, and inspiration around gender equality and social change.

International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while drawing attention to the work that still needs to be done. The Give To Gain theme for IWD 2026 highlights the idea that progress is driven by collective contribution — whether through sharing knowledge, time, resources, or support — and that inclusive generosity strengthens communities as a whole.

The Groningen event is organised by two local communities created by and for women: Lean In Groningen and Women Devs. Now in its fourth edition, the initiative began as an online conference in 2022 and has since grown into an in-person gathering. This year’s edition will take place at De Huiskamer, offering a welcoming and intimate setting for exchange and dialogue.

Speakers

The English-language programme features a diverse lineup of speakers with backgrounds in technology, law, and research:

1. Marijke Luttekes is a back-end web developer with over 15 years of experience. She specialises in Django and has a long-standing love for HTML.
2. Caroline Johnson is a lawyer with more than 20 years of experience as in-house counsel, specialising in technology, privacy, and artificial intelligence.
3. Valentina Lozano Nasi, PhD is a TEDx speaker and the creator of Transilience®, a framework that studies the human capacity to remain determined, explore multiple paths, and adapt for the better when facing adversity.

Event details and registration

Date: Sunday, 8 March 2025

Time: 13:00-17:00 hrs

Location: De Huiskamer, Suikerlaan 18, 9743 DA Groningen

Admission: Free of charge

Registration: https://meetu.ps/e/PD6GY/YVKbW/i (Required due to limited capacity: 100). Event is currently sold out, but you can register for the waitlist.

The event is open to everyone, regardless of gender.