Imagine a space where you can learn, engage and participate in events that emphasize diversity and gender equity. At Dassault Systèmes, we bring this vision to life. Each year, we celebrate International Women’s Day to inspire meaningful conversations. With the 2026 theme, “Give to Gain,” we took action to honor International Women’s Day through the power of giving.
What is International Women’s Day?
Observed annually, on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world to honor the achievements of women throughout history. The United Nations has recognized the day since 1975, marking it as a worldwide celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments.
The origins of IWD trace back to 1908. That year, over 10,000 women marched through New York City to demand shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. By 1910, it had become an annual day of recognition and advocacy for women’s rights.
Although the origins are in the US, International Women’s Day isn’t specific to any country, group or organization. It represents a collective call to action for gender equity and a celebration of progress that belongs to everyone committed to this cause.
While celebrations vary across communities, employers and organizations, the core goals of IWD remain consistent.
- Celebrate Women’s Achievements: Recognize and appreciate women’s contributions across all fields.
- Raise Awareness of Gender Inequality: Acknowledge persistent issues such as the gender pay gap and the lack of representation in leadership roles.
- Donate and Fundraise: Support women-focused charities and raise their visibility.
- Foster Solidarity: Unite people of all genders in support of women’s rights and worldwide gender parity.
Supporting IWD can take many forms, such as donating to women-focused charities, supporting women-led businesses, creating safe spaces, educating yourself or attending IWD events.
International Women’s Day 2026 at Dassault Systèmes
The 2026 theme for International Women’s Day, “Give to Gain,” emphasized the power of generosity and collaboration. At its core was a simple idea: when we give, we gain. The theme encouraged individuals, organizations and communities to forge gender equality through acts of giving.
At Dassault Systèmes, International Women’s Day was celebrated globally through a series of events throughout the month of March that fostered meaningful conversations and inspired action.
Our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), founded a decade ago, plays a central role in organizing these events. Over the years, WIN has grown into a global community dedicated to making gender diversity a priority, not an afterthought.
Whether it was challenging stereotypes, calling out discrimination or celebrating women’s achievements, every act of support created new opportunities for women. The “Give to Gain” theme of IWD 2026 emphasized the importance of reciprocity and collective action. Together, we can build a world where generosity drives growth and inclusion.
IWD event highlights
On Tuesday, March 10, Noha Salama, director of Women in Tech Germany, hosted an interactive Zoom workshop on “Confident Communication in the Workplace.” This session aligned with the “Give to Gain” theme because it equipped attendees with the exact tools they needed to build confidence and clarity in their communication. Key takeaways included building self-assurance, navigating challenging conversations professionally and managing diverse communication styles constructively.
The main event, a global “Women in Automotive” conference, took place on March 12 and was streamed to employees worldwide. This internal conference focused on the role of women in the automotive industry, building on the momentum created when Laurence Montanari, VP of Industry Transportation & Mobility, first launched the group last year. The “Women in Automotive” initiative connects and celebrates the women shaping and growing the automotive business within Dassault Systèmes.
And the topic du jour, “Mobility Is Not Gender-Neutral: How is the Automotive Industry redesigning for a new generation?” explored how gender equity and diverse perspectives drive innovation and sustainability. The event reflected the IWD 26 theme of “Give to Gain” by creating a platform for individuals to share ideas and perspectives.
Introducing the event, Elisa Prisner, the executive vice president of Industry, Marketing and Sustainability, reaffirmed Dassault Systèmes’ strong commitment to inclusive and sustainable transformation.
The event featured roundtable discussions moderated by Prodatta Sengupta from T&M Industry Marketing. Speakers included:
- Emilie Bortolo, Branch Director, Renault Retail Group
- Audrey Amar, VP, Product Director, DS Automobiles
- Emmanuel Bret, Deputy CEO, BYD (Build Your Dreams)
- Laurence Montanari, VP, T&M Industry, Dassault Systèmes
These industry leaders shared their experiences, challenges and insights on shaping a human-centered future for mobility.
“Give to Gain” social media campaign
Dassault Systèmes employees around the world were invited to participate in a global “Give to Gain” social media campaign by striking one of two meaningful poses.
The first pose involved holding cupped hands out front, symbolizing receiving, while the second featured one hand on the heart and the other extended outward, representing giving. Together, these gestures embodied the spirit of giving and receiving, reflecting values of truth, honesty, and openness.
Participants shared these photos using the hashtag #GiveToGain to amplify the message of visibility, reciprocity, and collective commitment. The campaign highlighted a powerful idea: when we invest in inclusion, everyone gains.
Our commitment to gender diversity extends beyond International Women’s Day. Throughout the year, Dassault Systèmes continues to support women in technology and beyond with ongoing events and initiatives.
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Charlotte Philippy is a Corporate Communications intern at Dassault Systèmes and a Public Relations student. With a strong interest in media and digital communication, she enjoys creating content that connects ideas with audiences around the world.