A number of events will be taking place around the country tomorrow to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2016.
More than 1,200 delegates (both women and men) are expected to attend what is slated to be the biggest IWD get-together in the country, organised by Accenture.
The event, taking place in the Convention Centre Dublin, will celebrate the successes in gender equality over the last century, and look to explore developments that will take place over the next 100.
The first Irish and female vice-chancellor of Oxford University, Prof Louise Richardson, will deliver the keynote speech.
Other speakers include LinkedIn senior director of international relations Sharon McCooey; EU digital girl of the year Niamh Scanlon; Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan; and Dr Rhona Mahony, master of the National Maternity Hospital.
The speakers will discuss a number of issues affecting women, including pay equality, the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and maths, and gender equality as a human rights issue rather than a women’s issue.
Michelle Cullen, head of inclusion and diversity at Accenture Ireland, said the event brings together some of the leading Irish women from many walks of life to share their stories and perspectives across a variety of topics.
“In this centenary year we are keen to honour and celebrate the achievements made by women in business and society generally, and to turn our gaze to the future,” she said.
There will be a technology showcase along with a specially-commissioned performance by theatre company Anu Productions.
Accenture will also announce its Women on Walls project, a campaign in partnership with the Royal Irish Academy to create portraits of women scientists and a lasting cultural legacy for Ireland in 2016.
