Today, Tuesday 8th March 2022, marks International Women’s Day (IWD).
The first IWD gathering took place in 1911 and it is now a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
This year the theme of IWD is #BreakTheBias, and the aim of the day is to help forge an inclusive world and stand-up to discrimination.
As a leading female sport globally, World Netball see’s the importance in gender equality and stands by the International Women’s Day movement.
To our Full and Associate Members, officials, players, netball family, volunteers, Board and everyone else that makes netball happen, we thank you for inspiring the next generation, helping to grow our sport, and making the game what it is.
Our Ambassadors and President collectively read out the 2022 International Women’s Day poem, which we have posted across our social media channels to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.
You can view the poem video here:
It reads:
Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women’s equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
You too can join the movement, by posting a picture of yourself with your arms crossed on social media as a sign of solidarity (please see below) and using the hashtags #IWD2022 and #BreakTheBias.
Together, we can all break the bias – on International Women’s Day (IWD) and beyond.
![](https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1920x1080-MARY-WAYA-BREAK-THE-BIAS-1.png)
To find out more about our Heart Ambassador, Mary Waya’s, journey in netball click here.
Or to listen to the Netball Show Podcast’s new International Women’s day episode, with our Courage Ambassador, Sara Donovan click here.