Criticisms Mount Over Commercialization and Messaging of International Women's Day Slogans

An article has raised significant criticisms regarding the commercialization and messaging surrounding International Women's Day (IWD), specifically targeting slogans generated by a private entity.

Controversy Over 2026 Slogan "Give to Gain"

The 2026 IWD slogan, "Give to Gain," promoted by the website internationalwomensday.com, has been described as lacking substantive meaning and diverting attention from themes established by UN Women. This slogan is associated with a consulting firm that owns the aforementioned website.

Shifting Ownership and Lack of Transparency

Previously, the firm operating the website was identified as Aurora Ventures (Europe) Limited, based in London, which was noted for developing annual IWD campaign themes. Recent observations indicate that specific mentions of Aurora Ventures have been removed from the website, with privacy policy inquiries now directed to a general email address. Public records in the UK show "IWD Support Ltd" was registered in 2011.

Concerns have been expressed regarding the lack of transparency from the website's operators concerning its management, the origin of its slogans, and how profits derived from employer sponsorships and themed merchandise are utilized.

Broader Concerns: Diverting from Substantive Issues

Past criticisms include the 2022 slogan "break the bias" reportedly overshadowing UN Women's theme on climate change. The article suggests that such corporate-developed slogans may provide a means for organizations to bypass more complex discussions related to women's rights, climate change, and global conflicts. Adding to these concerns, the website's content for 2026 contains incomplete sections, with some stated "missions" still marked as "coming soon."