International Women's Day 2026: Give to Gain

On Sunday 8 March 2026, AFAES celebrated International Women's Day under the theme "Give to Gain" at Black Box Pasila, inside the Mall of Tripla in Helsinki. The evening brought together women and community members to share experiences, learn from one another and build new connections.

The evening

Co-hosted by Mercy Onunze and Yasemin Kaplan, the programme featured a panel discussion titled "The Unseen Woman: Moving from the Shadow to the Table", followed by group discussions on employment, discrimination, racism, loneliness, and empowering young women through education and mentorship.

A performance by the WFWP Choir added to the celebration, followed by a cultural dinner sharing food and traditions from many communities.

Thank you

The event was organised with our official partners Together, Women's Federation for World Peace International, African Care and YEPP. AFAES sincerely thanks all speakers, partner organisations, participants and volunteers, including the male volunteers who supported the event behind the scenes.

The celebration was a reminder that when we support and empower women, we strengthen our entire community. Together, we can create a future where every woman's voice is heard and valued.