The Independent marks International Women's Day 2026 with powerful, thought-provoking editorial

• Independent Women 2026: The Influence List
• Exclusive pieces from incredible women from the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, art, philanthropy and campaigning

Guest Columns:

• Indhu Rubasingham: “International Women’s Day is a time to refocus on opportunities”
• Margaret Aspinall: “Why I’m not afraid to tell Starmer how it is, and the women we should really be praising”
• Rachel Reeves: “As the UK’s first female chancellor, I won’t rest until I break up the boys’ clubs”
• Megan Jones: “on how rugby helped her embrace who she really is”
• Maggie O’Farrell: “Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell shares how the Brontë sisters influence her work”
• Cleo Watson and Helen MacNamara: “The reality of being a woman in a COBRA meeting: ‘It does all get very blokey’”

Independent Journalists:

• Bulletin: “The Independent names its 50 most influential women”
• Editorial: “It’s time to honour the extraordinary women of the UK”
• Jamie Braidwood: “Chloe Kelly: ‘Taking control of my own destiny was important – sometimes you have to see the realness’”
• Nicole Wootton-Cane: “Independent opens exhibition at Outernet to celebrate International Women’s Day”
• Lucy Leeson: “The Independent’s Influence List goes on display at London’s Outernet for International Women’s Day”
• Jessie Thompson: “Rose Wylie, art world pioneer at 91: ‘Success, if it comes earlier, can entrap you a bit’”
• James C. Reynolds: “How displaced women around the world are finding hope in the most uncertain of times”
• Ruth Jackson-Kirby: “Women make better investors than men. So why don’t more of them do it?”
• Tara Cobham: “‘I’m trekking 500 miles in 60 days to reach the North Pole – and to show women they can do anything’”
• Tara Cobham: “‘My ADHD was missed until I was almost 40 – women are struggling and underdiagnosed’”
• Lori Campbell: “How hybrid roles and flexible working are widening women’s wealth gaps”