6 March 2026
WorldSkills celebrates International Women’s Day 2026
On International Women’s Day 2026, the WorldSkills community is encouraged to reflect on the different ways it can “give” to help the next generation of women “gain”.
On 8 March, WorldSkills will be supporting International Women’s Day. This year, the theme Give to Gain is all about the power of reciprocity. It shows that support and allyship opens new opportunities for women, helping us all to thrive.
The WorldSkills community is built on this spirit of giving. Thousands of WorldSkills volunteers across the world pass on their technical expertise so young people can step onto the global stage for skills and succeed in their profession. International Women’s Day reminds us that gender equity for women depends on different types of support. It may require us to offer assistance, call out discrimination, question bias, and actively celebrate women’s successes.
To mark the day, five women from the WorldSkills Champions Trust tell us about the people who have given something so that they can progress in their skill, and in life.
Support can also begin at home. Shweta Ratanpura, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Asia, credits her parents for helping her challenge expectations. She says, “They never let my gender define my dreams. Their trust allowed me to pursue my ambitions, travel independently to follow opportunities, and choose an unconventional career path.” Rachel Crawford, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Oceania and ASEAN, told us how her trainer passed on his love of cooking. She says, “His passion for his craft was contagious. His dedication to sharing knowledge and supporting his students’ growth made him my greatest influence.”
Jingyi Lu, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Asia, found inspiration in a close friend who had already achieved success at the WorldSkills Competition. She says, “Without reservation, she shared her experiences and constantly encouraged and guided me during the training process. Whenever I encountered difficulties, the image of her encouraging me kept flashing in my mind."
For Leyla Valiyeva, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Middle East and North Africa, the encouragement she received helped her reimagine her future. She says, “I have felt the importance of empowering women first-hand. In my early career, my mentor helped me shift my mindset from not believing that I am capable, to excelling in the field to discovering my true potential.”
Sonya Hill, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Americas, gained the confidence to break past gender barriers in her profession. She says, “In moments of pressure and self-doubt, my Expert and the WorldSkills Jamaica delegations reminded me that I belonged on that stage. Because they chose to give, I gained not only skills but also the courage to step boldly into spaces where women are often underrepresented.”
These women are now paying it forward. With the rest of the WorldSkills Champions Trust and WorldSkills Champions around the world, they are using their advocacy, mentorship, and outreach to help more people see skills as a pathway to success.
David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, calls on the WorldSkills community to consider how they can give more so that skilled women can advance, worldwide. He says, “This year, International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress is built through shared effort. We must all give to gain. When we invest in each other and give our time and knowledge so others can succeed, we create a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone.”