Choose a look
Theme 2027: Women’s Stories Across Cultures. From 1 to 8 March 2027, 300+ speakers, panelists, workshop leaders and dignitaries and more than 10,000 attendees gather online worldwide and at in-person events in Toronto and other cities — culminating in our Official Ceremony in Toronto on 7 March, on the eve of International Women’s Day.
Opening day · Monday 1 March 2027
Impact
From a Toronto summit to a worldwide week, built on three decades of women-led programs by our founding team.
About the Week
Professionals, academics, artists, community leaders and dignitaries from around the world, in one conversation about the lives of women today.
Speakers join from every continent and present in any language. Every session is subtitled, so every voice can reach a worldwide audience.
Join the way that suits you: online from anywhere in the world, or in person at events in Toronto and in other cities, which we will announce. Organizations can also host their own event in their city under the Global Women’s Week banner. The week ends with our Official Ceremony in Toronto. Most speeches, workshops and panels are free to watch online.
We cover every dimension of women’s lives — family, work, health, education, culture, the arts and leadership — not just the boardroom.
Global Women’s Week is led by a founding team with three decades of women’s programs, media and events behind them — thousands of talks, podcasts and workshops made for women long before this week had a name. Persian Awards, founded by the same team, is a key partner; the 2026 Women Summit marked the official beginning of Global Women’s Week.
Global Women’s Week 2027
Rose Sanei
I’ve spent much of my life building businesses, working with people, and creating opportunities.
One thing I’ve always believed is that success means so much more when we share it with others.
I was fortunate to grow up with parents who encouraged me to believe in myself, and to have mentors who helped me find my way. Those experiences taught me how much a little encouragement, guidance, and support can change someone’s life.
For more than 25 years, alongside my professional life, I’ve also been involved in fundraising initiatives supporting educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a conversation about helping children introduced me to Persian Awards® and opened a new chapter in my journey.
Today, as Vice President and Global Director of Business Development & International Relations at Persian Awards®, I continue working to connect people, organizations, and communities through cultural, educational, and social initiatives.
Along the way, I became increasingly interested in women’s opportunities, mental health, and the importance of building stronger families and communities.
I met so many talented people who had knowledge, experiences, and ideas to share, but didn’t always have the connections or opportunities to do so.
I wanted to bring them together.
And that belief is at the heart of Global Women’s Week.
As Chair, I see Global Women’s Week as a place where women and men, professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities from different cultures can come together, share what they know, learn from one another, and create new opportunities.
I believe in teamwork, transparency, mutual respect, and making sure everyone feels welcome and valued.
My hope is that everyone who joins us, whether as a speaker, coordinator, volunteer, partner, or participant, feels that they are part of something meaningful.
Because we all have something to share, something to learn, and something we can contribute.
Global Women’s Week is not about one person or one organization. It’s about what we can build together.
I look forward to meeting you, hearing your stories, and creating something meaningful together.
Warmly,
Rose SaneiChair, Global Women’s Week 2027
Vice President, Persian Awards®
Global Director of Business Development & International Relations, Persian Awards®
The Program
Ten program areas, one theme — Women’s Stories Across Cultures. Panels, roundtables, workshops, talks, exhibitions and cultural programs, online worldwide and in Toronto.
Leadership, entrepreneurship and finance, and how women shape the economy.
Learn morePhysical and mental health, prevention, care and community support.
Learn moreResearch, technology and the next generation of women in science.
Learn moreLeadership, entrepreneurship and finance, and how women shape the economy.
Physical and mental health, prevention, care and community support.
Legal rights, access to justice and women’s leadership in law.
Visual arts, music, film, theatre, dance and cultural heritage.
Research, technology and the next generation of women in science.
Athletes, coaches and the future of women in sport.
Writing, publishing and storytelling across cultures.
Motherhood, early development and family wellbeing.
Identity, migration and belonging in women’s lives across cultures.
Healthy living, prevention and family nutrition.
Day by day
Each day of Global Women’s Week focuses on a different dimension of women’s lives, ending on International Women’s Day, 8 March.
Women leading nations, organizations and movements. The week opens with keynote addresses from leaders around the world.
Learn moreWomen in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and the future economy.
Learn morePhysicians, psychologists, therapists, nutrition and sports experts on women’s physical and mental well-being.
Learn moreLearning, research and the next generation of women leaders.
Learn moreNurturing children, shaping the future: mothers, educators, child-development and parenting experts.
Learn moreFilm, theatre, music, dance, literature, fashion, photography and beauty: women artists from around the world. Online, Toronto and London.
Learn moreRed carpet, performances, keynotes and honours for outstanding women, live at York Woods Library Theatre.
Learn moreA worldwide celebration and closing of Global Women’s Week, with affiliated events around the globe.
Learn moreWomen leading nations, organizations and movements. The week opens with keynote addresses from leaders around the world.
Women in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and the future economy.
Physicians, psychologists, therapists, nutrition and sports experts on women’s physical and mental well-being.
Learning, research and the next generation of women leaders.
Nurturing children, shaping the future: mothers, educators, child-development and parenting experts.
Film, theatre, music, dance, literature, fashion, photography and beauty: women artists from around the world. Online, Toronto and London.
Red carpet, performances, keynotes and honours for outstanding women, live at York Woods Library Theatre.
A worldwide celebration and closing of Global Women’s Week, with affiliated events around the globe.
Schedule
1–8 March 2027. Most sessions are free and online, so you can join from anywhere in the world. All times are Eastern Time (Toronto).
Leadership & Public Life
Keynote addresses and panels on women in leadership. Streaming online.
Women, Technology & Business
Talks and panels on women in technology, innovation, business and the future economy.
Health, Mental Health, Nutrition & Sports
Experts on women’s physical health, mental well-being, nutrition and sport.
Education, Science & Leadership
Learning, research and leadership.
Motherhood & Child Development
Nurturing children, shaping the future.
Art & Culture Day
Women artists from around the world, plus selections from our archive of Iranian art, culture and heritage. Online, Toronto and London.
Red Carpet & Networking
Arrivals, photos and networking with guests. Dress code: red carpet formal or elegant cultural attire.
The Official Ceremony
Keynote addresses, live performances, fashion showcases and the presentation of honours, including the Persian Awards® Female Laureates Medals.
Global Celebration & Closing
The final day of the week, with online sessions and affiliated events around the world.
Sunday 7 March 2027 · Toronto
On the eve of International Women’s Day, we gather in person to celebrate the voices of the week.
Our in-person finale in Toronto: red carpet, keynotes and honours.
Learn more
Our in-person finale in Toronto: red carpet, keynotes and honours.
The afternoon brings together 300 invited VIP guests, speakers and ticket holders for red-carpet networking, fashion showcases, live performances, keynote addresses and the presentation of honours to outstanding women, including the Persian Awards® Female Laureates Medals.
Time: 12:00 – 6:00 PM ET · Red carpet 1:00 PM · Ceremony 3:00 PM
Venue: York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch Ave W, Toronto, ON M3N 1M6
Dress code: Red carpet formal or elegant cultural attire
Admission: By ticket, with seats reserved for invited guests
Select this card to get your tickets on Eventbrite.
Worldwide
Global Women’s Week is an umbrella for the world. Organizations everywhere can host their own events under the Global Women’s Week banner.
Any organization can host its own event in its city under the Global Women’s Week name.
Learn more
In 2027 we welcome our first affiliated organizations.
Learn more
Any organization can host its own event in its city under the Global Women’s Week name.
Like the world’s great city tech weeks, Global Women’s Week is open to every organization. Universities, companies, community groups, embassies and nonprofits can host a talk, workshop, meetup, exhibition or celebration between 1 and 8 March under the Global Women’s Week banner. In 2027, in-person programs are planned in Toronto and London, alongside the worldwide online program.
In 2027 we welcome our first affiliated organizations. Our goal is thousands of co-hosts on every continent, all celebrating the women in their communities during the same eight days.
Global Women’s Week is organized by Global Village Group, whose founders have created women’s programs, events, podcasts and workshops for more than 30 years, with Persian Awards® as key partner.
Get Involved
Applications for Global Women’s Week 2027 close on 15 January 2027. You can present in any language, and every session is subtitled.
Share your expertise, research or story with a global audience. Talks from 3 to 30 minutes.
Learn moreTeach a practical skill that people can use the next morning. Workshops from 1 hour to a full day.
Learn moreJoin a panel or roundtable on the issues shaping women’s lives today.
Learn moreBring music, poetry, dance, fashion or film to the week and the Official Ceremony.
Learn moreNominate a representative, expert or dignitary from your organization to take part.
Learn moreRun your own Global Women’s Week event in your city, under the official banner.
Learn morePut your brand behind a global movement for women, in front of a worldwide online audience and 300 VIP guests in Toronto.
Learn moreShare your expertise, research or story with a global audience. Talks from 3 to 30 minutes.
Teach a practical skill that people can use the next morning. Workshops from 1 hour to a full day.
Join a panel or roundtable on the issues shaping women’s lives today.
Bring music, poetry, dance, fashion or film to the week and the Official Ceremony.
Nominate a representative, expert or dignitary from your organization to take part.
Run your own Global Women’s Week event in your city, under the official banner.
Put your brand behind a global movement for women, in front of a worldwide online audience and 300 VIP guests in Toronto.
Help us subtitle, translate, promote and run the week.
Session by Session
Who Shapes the Future? Women, AI, and the Power of Technology
In her session, Sahar will explore the growing influence of artificial intelligence and technology, the opportunities they create for women, and the importance of women’s voices and leadership in shaping the future of innovation.
As technology continues to transform industries, businesses, and our everyday lives, an important question remains: Who shapes the future, and how can women play a greater role?
Join us for this timely and engaging conversation, part of Women in Business & Innovation.
Watch
Moments from the Persian Women Summit 2026, the first chapter of Global Women’s Week. Want everything from 2026? Choose 2026 in the PAST menu at the top, or use the link below.
Partnerships
We invite associations, institutions, universities, businesses, media organizations, healthcare and research organizations, cultural groups and community networks to collaborate in creating meaningful international programs for women.
Helps plan or deliver a major part of the program, such as a themed day.
Learn moreSupports the week and shares it with members, without running program sessions.
Learn moreContributes to a specific activity, such as a panel, roundtable, workshop, exhibition, research presentation or cultural program.
Learn moreConnects the program with a community, membership base or professional network and supports outreach and participation.
Learn moreSupports the program through interviews, promotion, content distribution, media coverage or event reporting.
Learn moreHelps plan or deliver a major part of the program, such as a themed day.
Contributes to the planning or delivery of a major part of the program, such as coordinating a themed day, organizing several sessions, or connecting professional networks and speakers.
Submitting an application does not confirm a partnership. After reviewing it, our team will contact your organization to discuss the appropriate collaboration category, responsibilities, brand use and next steps.
Supports the week and shares it with members, without running program sessions.
Supports the initiative, shares announcements and encourages members to participate, without taking direct responsibility for program delivery.
Submitting an application does not confirm a partnership. After reviewing it, our team will contact your organization to discuss the appropriate collaboration category, responsibilities, brand use and next steps.
Contributes to a specific activity, such as a panel, roundtable, workshop, exhibition, research presentation or cultural program.
Submitting an application does not confirm a partnership. After reviewing it, our team will contact your organization to discuss the appropriate collaboration category, responsibilities, brand use and next steps.
Connects the program with a community, membership base or professional network and supports outreach and participation.
Submitting an application does not confirm a partnership. After reviewing it, our team will contact your organization to discuss the appropriate collaboration category, responsibilities, brand use and next steps.
Supports the program through interviews, promotion, content distribution, media coverage or event reporting.
Submitting an application does not confirm a partnership. After reviewing it, our team will contact your organization to discuss the appropriate collaboration category, responsibilities, brand use and next steps.
Supports the week with financial or approved in-kind help.
Provides financial or approved in-kind support for programs, technology, venues, accessibility, media production, cultural activities or community participation.
Submitting an application does not confirm a partnership. After reviewing it, our team will contact your organization to discuss the appropriate collaboration category, responsibilities, brand use and next steps.
Organizations can take part in many ways, from panels to outreach.
Organizations may contribute by:
Submitting an application does not confirm a partnership. After reviewing it, our team will contact your organization to discuss the appropriate collaboration category, responsibilities, brand use and next steps.
Women’s Works
Creative work shared by our speakers, organizations and community — add yours to your profile.
Be the first to share a book, film, artwork or performance by or for women.
With Thanks To
Watch
106 talks, panels and performances from the International Women Summit 2026 in Toronto. See the whole 2026 edition, with all speakers, schedule and honourees, using the links below.
Our Story
Global Women’s Week grew out of the International Conference & Gathering of Persian Women in 2026, hosted with our key partner Persian Awards®.
FAQ
The questions we hear most often. Find every answer on our FAQ page.
Global Women’s Week is an international platform bringing together women, leaders, professionals, organizations, researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, advocates and community members from different cultures and countries — for meaningful conversations, professional connections, knowledge-sharing and cultural exchange.
Global Women’s Week 2027 runs from 1 to 8 March 2027. Most programs are online, so you can join from anywhere in the world. Selected in-person programs and the Official Ceremony (7 March 2027) take place in Toronto, Canada.
Women from different professional, cultural, academic and community backgrounds are welcome, along with organizations, institutions, community groups, universities, media outlets and supporters of women’s advancement.
Yes. Most programs are online and accessible internationally.
Visit our Register page and choose the form that fits you: attendee, speaker or program contributor, partner, volunteer, artist, exhibitor or media.
Yes. Speakers, moderators, panel coordinators, workshop leaders, researchers, educators, artists and cultural contributors are welcome to apply. The application deadline is 15 January 2027. Submission does not guarantee acceptance.
Yes. Associations, institutions, universities, businesses, media and community organizations may participate as Strategic Partners, Affiliate Organizations, Collaborating Organizations, Community Partners, Media Partners or Sponsors.
Most online sessions are free. Any applicable fees — for example tickets for the Official Ceremony — will be clearly communicated before final confirmation. Completing an initial application does not create a payment obligation.
Confirmed speakers and coordinators may receive a certificate after completing their program responsibilities. Certificates for other participants may be offered for selected programs.
Use our contact form. Include your full name, city and country, organization if applicable, and the subject of your inquiry.
No questions match your search — try other words, or ask us below.
Program news, speakers, events near you and calls to take part — a few emails a month.
Reports are private and go only to the Global Women’s Week team. You can write in any language.
This link opens an external website that we do not control:
