**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is organizing a national-level celebration for International Women's Day on March 8th, 2026. The event, to be held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, will be graced by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Two panel discussions will follow the inaugural ceremony, focusing on women's empowerment and entrepreneurship. The event will be webcast live.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Objective:** To celebrate International Women's Day, acknowledge women's diverse contributions, and highlight the Government's commitment to advancing women-led development.
* **Date and Venue:** March 8th, 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
* **Key Dignitaries:** The event will be attended by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, the Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur.
* **Programme Outline:**
* Welcome address by Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, MWCD.
* Audio-visual presentations on women's workforce participation and government policies.
* Keynote address by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
* Address by the Minister for Women and Child Development on government initiatives for women-led development.
* Two panel discussions:
* "Labour Codes – Enhancing Empowerment of Women."
* "Self-Help Group Women as Entrepreneurs."
* **Participants:** Approximately 1,000 women from over 150 Ministries, Departments, and organizations, including representatives from the Armed Forces, police, media, healthcare, and sports.
* **Webcast:** The event will be live-streamed at https://webcast.gov.in/mwcd.
* **Social Media Updates:** Updates and live coverage will be shared on social media platforms using hashtags like #SheLeadsBharat.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for organizing and executing the national-level celebration of International Women's Day.
* **Action Required:** Ensure smooth conduct of the event, including the inaugural ceremony and panel discussions, and manage the live webcast.
* **President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu**
* **Impact:** Will grace the event and deliver the keynote address.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the event and deliver the keynote address.
* **Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi**
* **Impact:** Will address the gathering and highlight government initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the event and deliver an address.
* **Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur**
* **Impact:** Will attend the event.
* **Action Required:** Attend the event.
* **Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, MWCD**
* **Impact:** Will deliver the welcome address.
* **Action Required:** Deliver the welcome address.
* **Participating Women (approx. 1,000 from various sectors)**
* **Impact:** Will have the opportunity to engage in discussions on women's empowerment and entrepreneurship, and hear from national leaders.
* **Action Required:** Attend the event and participate in the discussions.
* **General Public (viewers of the webcast)**
* **Impact:** Will be able to witness the national-level celebration and learn about government initiatives for women.
* **Action Required:** Tune into the live webcast on March 8th, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD): The government ministry organizing the event and responsible for policies related to women and child development.
President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu: The highest dignitary gracing the International Women's Day celebrations and delivering the keynote address.
International Women's Day: The occasion being celebrated, which focuses on the achievements and contributions of women and gender equality.
New Delhi: The central location where the national-level celebration is being held.
Labour Codes – Enhancing Empowerment of Women: One of the two panel discussions, indicating a focus on labor policies impacting women's empowerment.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu to
Grace International Women’s Day Celebrations at
Manekshaw Centre tomorrow
Event to witness participation of women from various fields
reflecting the diverse contributions of women across the
nation and Government’s commitment to advancing women-
led development
Two panel discussions to take place after inaugural ceremony
Posted On: 07 MAR 2026 9:43AM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India is celebrating International Women’s Day tomorrow (8th March 2026). The
Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) will organise a national-level celebration at the
Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, which will be graced by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi
Murmu.
The event will be organised in the august presence of the Minister for Women and Child Development,
Smt. Annpurna Devi, and the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur.
International Women’s Day, observed globally on 8 March, celebrates the achievements and contributions
of women across diverse fields and reaffirms the collective commitment towards gender equality, safety,
dignity, and empowerment of women.
The programme will commence with a welcome address by Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of
Women and Child Development, followed by audio-visual presentations highlighting the increased
workforce participation of women across sectors and showcasing key Government policies and schemes
aimed at women’s empowerment.
On the occasion, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu will deliver the keynote address.
The Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi will also address the gathering and
highlight key initiatives undertaken by the Government to strengthen women-led development in the
country.
Following the inaugural ceremony, the programme will continue with two panel discussions. The first
panel discussion will focus on “Labour Codes – Enhancing Empowerment of Women,” while the second
panel will discuss “Self-Help Group Women as Entrepreneurs.”
The event is expected to witness the participation of around 1,000 women from more than 150 Ministries,
Departments, and organisations, including representatives from the Armed Forces, police, media,
healthcare, sports, and other sectors, reflecting the diverse contributions of women across the nation andthe Government of India’s commitment to advancing women-led development.
The event will also be webcast live at:
https://webcast.gov.in/mwcd.
Nari Shakti se Viksit Bharat. 🇮🇳
Join us for the celebrations of International Women’s Day.
🗓 8 March | ⏰ 11:30 AM
🔴 LIVE: https://t.co/CUHahGmIrr#SheLeadsBharat@rashtrapatibhvn @PMOIndia
@Annapurna4BJP @savitrii4bjp @PIBWCD pic.twitter.com/njD0OYxg1d
— Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) March 6, 2026
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