International Women’s Day Website Faces Criticism for Commercialization and Lack of UN Affiliation
More than 900 individuals have signed an open letter calling on the owners of internationalwomensday.com to either “contribute meaningfully” to the advancement of women’s rights or relinquish control of the website. The controversy stems from concerns that the London-based marketing firm operating the site is exploiting the International Women’s Day movement for financial gain, diverging from the UN-recognized celebration and its core principles.
Origins of the Controversy
A report by The Guardian in December 2025 revealed that internationalwomensday.com is run by a London-based marketing firm, not directly affiliated with the United Nations. The UN has officially distanced itself from the site, which annually proposes a theme for International Women’s Day that differs from the UN’s designated theme. This year, the site’s theme is “Give to Gain.”
Concerns Over Commercialization
Critics argue that the website’s commercial activities, including the sale of merchandise such as purple tablecloths, wristbands, and “gratitude cards,” undermine the genuine spirit of International Women’s Day. The site also offers downloadable templates and hosts directories for speakers and charities, generating revenue while presenting itself as a central hub for the global celebration.
Corporate Adoption of Website Themes
Several British organizations, including Sainsbury’s, Barclays, and University College London, have adopted themes promoted by internationalwomensday.com, seemingly unaware of its lack of UN affiliation. This has led to confusion and concerns that the website’s themes are being mistakenly presented as official UN initiatives.
Open Letter and Calls for Transparency
The open letter, authored by UK-based professionals Belinda Jane Batt and Mo Kanjilal, expresses concerns that the website is “infantilising” the day and reducing it to a marketing opportunity. The letter demands greater transparency regarding the website’s financial operations and how its revenue is used to support women’s rights causes.
“Where is all that money going? Is any of it going to causes that are for women, for women’s advancement, for women’s rights?” Batt questioned in a statement to The Guardian. Kanjilal added that the site’s themes often feel “corporate” and disconnected from the serious challenges faced by women globally, citing examples such as the ongoing struggles for women’s rights in Iran and Afghanistan, and the prevalence of maternity discrimination.
Website Owners’ Response
The owners of internationalwomensday.com, IWD Support Ltd (formerly Aurora Ventures (Europe) Ltd), maintain that no single entity owns the International Women’s Day movement and that their website is simply one of many groups marking the day worldwide. Glenda Slingsby, the marketing executive who owns the company, has not provided detailed information regarding the website’s finances or charitable contributions.
UN’s Official Stance
A spokesperson for UN Women emphasized that the organization determines the official theme for International Women’s Day annually through a panel of global experts. The UN encourages all partners to adopt its official theme and clarified that the colors used on internationalwomensday.com are not UN-selected for the campaign.