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Persian Women Summit 2026

The official beginning of Global Women’s Week: global online sessions from 5 to 7 March and a closing ceremony on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2026, at York Woods Theatre, Toronto.

Impact

A Growing Global Movement

From a Toronto summit to a worldwide week, built on three decades of women-led programs by our founding team.

1,000+
Participants in the 2026 global online sessions
300+
Guests at the closing ceremony on International Women’s Day
45+
Speakers, panelists and performers from around the world
4
Days: online sessions 5–7 March, ceremony 8 March 2026

About the Week

A Global Stage, Open to Every Woman

Professionals, academics, artists, community leaders and dignitaries from around the world, in one conversation about the lives of women today.

We believe lasting change starts with visibility — spotlighting the women and allies doing the work in their communities, every single day.

Every session, workshop, and conversation this week is designed to turn inspiration into practical next steps you can take home.

Global Women’s Week 2027

A Message from the Chair

Rose Sanei

A message from the Chair: Rose Sanei, Chair of Global Women’s Week 2027

I’ve spent much of my life building businesses, working with people, and creating opportunities.

One thing I’ve always believed is that success means so much more when we share it with others.

I was fortunate to grow up with parents who encouraged me to believe in myself, and to have mentors who helped me find my way. Those experiences taught me how much a little encouragement, guidance, and support can change someone’s life.

For more than 25 years, alongside my professional life, I’ve also been involved in fundraising initiatives supporting educational opportunities for vulnerable children.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a conversation about helping children introduced me to Persian Awards® and opened a new chapter in my journey.

Today, as Vice President and Global Director of Business Development & International Relations at Persian Awards®, I continue working to connect people, organizations, and communities through cultural, educational, and social initiatives.

Along the way, I became increasingly interested in women’s opportunities, mental health, and the importance of building stronger families and communities.

I met so many talented people who had knowledge, experiences, and ideas to share, but didn’t always have the connections or opportunities to do so.

I wanted to bring them together.

And that belief is at the heart of Global Women’s Week.

As Chair, I see Global Women’s Week as a place where women and men, professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities from different cultures can come together, share what they know, learn from one another, and create new opportunities.

I believe in teamwork, transparency, mutual respect, and making sure everyone feels welcome and valued.

My hope is that everyone who joins us, whether as a speaker, coordinator, volunteer, partner, or participant, feels that they are part of something meaningful.

Because we all have something to share, something to learn, and something we can contribute.

Global Women’s Week is not about one person or one organization. It’s about what we can build together.

I look forward to meeting you, hearing your stories, and creating something meaningful together.

Warmly,

Rose SaneiChair, Global Women’s Week 2027
Vice President, Persian Awards®
Global Director of Business Development & International Relations, Persian Awards®

Day by day

Eight Days, Eight Lenses

Each day of Global Women’s Week focuses on a different dimension of women’s lives, ending on International Women’s Day, 8 March.

Recognising Local Impact

Recognising Local Impact

Each year we bring together the organisers, mentors, and first responders whose work rarely makes headlines — and put them centre stage.

Learn more
Building a Wider Network

Building a Wider Network

Panels and workshops are built for connection, not just content — leaving every attendee with new collaborators, not just notes.

Learn more

Schedule

The Week at a Glance

1–8 March 2027. Most sessions are free and online, so you can join from anywhere in the world. All times are Eastern Time (Toronto).

Thursday, March 5

  1. Online Global Online Sessions

    Day 1 · Global Online Sessions

    Talks and panels on health & well-being, education & leadership, business & entrepreneurship, technology & innovation, and social development.

Friday, March 6

  1. Online Global Online Sessions

    Day 2 · Global Online Sessions

    Speakers from around the world share their expertise and stories.

Saturday, March 7

  1. Online Global Online Sessions

    Day 3 · Global Online Sessions

    The final day of online sessions before the closing ceremony.

Sunday, March 8

  1. 4:30 – 7:00 PM Closing Ceremony

    Closing Ceremony · International Women’s Day

    In-person ceremony with honours, performances and the presentation of the Persian Awards® medals to outstanding women.

Get Involved

There’s a Place for You on This Stage

Applications for Global Women’s Week 2027 close on 15 January 2027. You can present in any language, and every session is subtitled.

Join as a Volunteer

Join as a Volunteer

Help welcome guests, run workshops, and keep the week running smoothly — no experience required.

Learn more
Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Share your story or expertise with an engaged audience of leaders and changemakers.

Learn more
Partner With Us

Partner With Us

Sponsor a session or bring your organisation on board as an official community partner.

Learn more

Voices

Speakers & Performers

2026 Speaker

Shohreh Bakhshishian

“The Importance of Sports for Women” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Katayoun Malekmotiei

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Lili Sadr Mirhosseini

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Frances Greenidge

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Forough Hashemi

“Biography” · Persian Women Summit 2026

Speaker & Performer

Farnoush Javaheripour

“Female Pahlevani” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Faezeh Nadimi

“Woman and Myth” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Azita Mohammad Karimi

“Women as the Emotional Leaders of Society” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Maryam Rashidian

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Asal Bagheri

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Azadeh Momeni

Panelist · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Sherry Dabir

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Firouzeh Bahrami

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Bahar Karbakhsh

“Heart-Based Legal Solutions and Advocacy” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Baharak Keyvan

“Treatment of Women’s Cancers” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Sahar Tahvili

“Women and AI” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Tara Vahab

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

LA 2026 Speaker

Ladan Adhami-Dorrani

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Mana Korjei

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Marjan Aghajanzadeh Hoshyar

“Social Development” · Persian Women Summit 2026

MS 2026 Speaker

Marzieh Shirali

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Navid Mirzakhani

“Health and Women” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Parvaneh Missaghi

“Ladies: A Mother’s Place in Family and Society” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Sydney Karim-Zadeh

“From Survival to Strength” · Persian Women Summit 2026

SB 2026 Speaker

Shahin Borhanzehi

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

SM 2026 Speaker

Shabana Maliki

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

Speaker

Zeinab Mohammadian

“Afghan Women” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Maryam Hassanzadeh

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

RS Performer

Rose Sanei

Performer · Closing Ceremony 2026

2026 Speaker

Dr. Naderah Mohammadi

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Guita Movalleli

“Where Love Begins” · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Hanna Soleymani

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Hoda Khamoosh

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Josée Brouillette

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Joy O’Donnell

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Mandana Attarzadeh

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Maryam Ghaderian

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Maryam Zinalikarvandi

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Pantea Jafari

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Rana Soleimani

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Tahmineh Tanbakosaz

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Speaker

Tannaz Mirjalili

Speaker · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Performer

Shirin & Atefeh

Performer · Closing Ceremony 2026

2026 Performer

Solmaz Peymaei

Performer · Closing Ceremony 2026

2026 Panelist

Natasha Shokri

Panelist · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Panelist

Sara Molaie

Panelist · Persian Women Summit 2026

2026 Panelist

Shirin Khayambashi

Panelist · Persian Women Summit 2026

Watch

Highlights From Last Year

Moments from the Persian Women Summit 2026, the first chapter of Global Women’s Week. Want everything from 2026? Choose 2026 in the PAST menu at the top, or use the link below.

Women’s Works

Art, Books & Films by and for Women

Creative work shared by our speakers, organizations and community — add yours to your profile.

Be the first to share a book, film, artwork or performance by or for women.

Browse all works Share your work

With Thanks To

Partners & Sponsors

Watch

From the 2026 Women Summit

106 talks, panels and performances from the International Women Summit 2026 in Toronto. See the whole 2026 edition, with all speakers, schedule and honourees, using the links below.

Panel · Azadeh Momeni

Panel discussion from the International Women Summit 2026.

Watch more

Speaker · Maryam Rashidian

Talk from the International Women Summit 2026.

Watch more

Speaker · Frances Greenidge

Talk from the International Women Summit 2026.

Watch more

FAQ

Questions? We have answers.

The questions we hear most often. Find every answer on our FAQ page.

What is Global Women’s Week?

Global Women’s Week is an international platform bringing together women, leaders, professionals, organizations, researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, advocates and community members from different cultures and countries — for meaningful conversations, professional connections, knowledge-sharing and cultural exchange.

About Global Women’s Week →

When and where will it take place?

Global Women’s Week 2027 runs from 1 to 8 March 2027. Most programs are online, so you can join from anywhere in the world. Selected in-person programs and the Official Ceremony (7 March 2027) take place in Toronto, Canada.

See the schedule →

Who can participate?

Women from different professional, cultural, academic and community backgrounds are welcome, along with organizations, institutions, community groups, universities, media outlets and supporters of women’s advancement.

Can international participants join online?

Yes. Most programs are online and accessible internationally.

How can I register?

Visit our Register page and choose the form that fits you: attendee, speaker or program contributor, partner, volunteer, artist, exhibitor or media.

Register & apply →

Can I apply as a speaker?

Yes. Speakers, moderators, panel coordinators, workshop leaders, researchers, educators, artists and cultural contributors are welcome to apply. The application deadline is 15 January 2027. Submission does not guarantee acceptance.

Apply as a speaker →

Can an organization become a partner?

Yes. Associations, institutions, universities, businesses, media and community organizations may participate as Strategic Partners, Affiliate Organizations, Collaborating Organizations, Community Partners, Media Partners or Sponsors.

Partner with us →

Is there a registration fee?

Most online sessions are free. Any applicable fees — for example tickets for the Official Ceremony — will be clearly communicated before final confirmation. Completing an initial application does not create a payment obligation.

Will participants receive certificates?

Confirmed speakers and coordinators may receive a certificate after completing their program responsibilities. Certificates for other participants may be offered for selected programs.

Who can I contact for more information?

Use our contact form. Include your full name, city and country, organization if applicable, and the subject of your inquiry.

Contact us →

See all questions →

Stay in the loop

Program news, speakers, events near you and calls to take part — a few emails a month.