International Women’s Day: every LBTI woman’s contribution makes society stronger
- Every 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day
- Lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. More, bisexualadjective used to describe a person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of other genders. More, transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More, and women, and more women of diverse SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. More, belong in this celebration, too!
- On this day, listen to the messages of women representing ILGA World and share them widely!
No matter our journeys and experiences, most of us want to build a life for ourselves and our communities where we can thrive.
But today, no country in the world has reached full equality for women and girls — and especially for those of them who are lesbian, bisexual, trans, or intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. More.
But what could happen if women could exercise their rights? On International Women’s Day 2026, hear from women from across the world, representing ILGA World in all its diversity. Together, we can build societies where every woman can live up to her full potential.
Activate the captions! We added subtitles in English and Spanish to each video.
Kimberly Frost: “When LGBTI women thrive, society gains”
For LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. More women to have access to rights and justice, we need more than legal reform, ILGA World co-Secretary General Kimberly Frost argues: we need cultural transformation.
We need laws that explicitly protect against discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. More, inclusive healthcare policies, investment in community-based support systems, and protection for bodily autonomy and genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. More affirming care.
Rachael Moore: “The right to safety changes everything”
You cannot contribute to a society that is actively trying to exhaust you, ILGA World Board member Rachael Moore argues. “The safety to exist visibly and to participate in public life without your identity being treated as a problem changes everything. That’s just what happens when you stop excluding people who have always had their contributions invisibilised.”
Akudo Oguaghamba: “Our country would gain so much from us”
Akudo Oguaghamba is a feminist activist working to advance the rights and well-being of lesbian, bisexual, queerpreviously used as a derogatory term to refer to LGBT individuals in the English language – and still perceived as offensive by some - queer has been reclaimed by people who identify beyond traditional gender categories and heteronormative social norms. Although not universally accepted, it is often used as a catch-all to include many people within the larger community of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics. More women and gender non-conforming persons in Nigeria. She is also an ILGA World Board member.
“I think it is very essential for LGBTQIA+ persons in Nigeria to have the right to be free from violence and discrimination. When people are constantly navigating fear, it limits their ability to try and to contribute meaningfully to society. If this right were to be protected, our country would gain so much from us.”
Collette Spinetti: ‘We are fighting for a more just and equal society’
The Latin American and Caribbean region has extremely high levels of violence against trans people, especially those who suffer from intersecting forms of discrimination. That is why, according to Collette Spinetti, chair of ILGA World’s Trans steering committee, it is essential that activists and governments join forces to fight for a more just and equal society.
Jasmine Kaur: “See us in all our fullness, in all our power”
For queer women who are living with a disability, the whole of our identities is rarely seen at once. “I invite you to welcome us in all our fullness, in all our power,” says ILGA Oceania disability sub-committee chair Jasmine Kaur, “because every woman’s contribution matters.”
Angelica Polmonari: “Wishing strength and courage to every LBTIQA+ woman”
Listen to the message of our Women’s committee chair, Angelica Polmonari, to every lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, and asexualoften called “ace” for short, it refers to a person who experiences little to no sexual attraction to anyone and/or does not experience desire for sexual contact. Asexuality is a sexual orientation existing on a spectrum, and asexual people may experience no, little or conditional sexual attraction. More woman out there who is fighting for safety, visibility, rights, and prosperity.
