Give some to theUM
At the University of Montpellier, International Women’s Rights Day lasts a whole month, from March 1 to 31! “Donner des Elles à l’UM” invites you to join us in 2026 to continue advancing gender equality together.
At the University, equality is not merely proclaimed—it is built, passed on, and defended. This year’s program for the month of March is a powerful testament to that. It brings to life, on our campuses, a lasting and concrete commitment to women’s rights. Through workshops, artistic creations, and lectures—by showcasing the work of our students and strengthening our institutional frameworks—we affirm a clear ambition: to equip ourselves with the means to understand, take action, and transform collective perceptions. Beyond the month’s highlights, this is an ongoing effort we are pursuing: that of an inclusive university, attentive to vulnerabilities, and resolutely committed to true equality.
The“Donner des Elles à l’UM” calendar
Workshop on Mental, Emotional, Verbal, and Physical Self-Defense
Hosted by Idaline Lortiga
Open only to female doctoral students at theUM (cis and trans women)
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – Building 3, workshop room.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Equality Award
Contest: MARCH 8–31
Open only to undergraduate and doctoral students enrolled at theUM during the 2024–2025 and/or 2025–2026 academic years.
Niki
Movies
Biopic by Céline Salette, 2024, runtime: 1 hr 35 min
Inspired by the biography of visual artist and painter Niki de Saint Phalle.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
, Montpellier – Richter Campus – Aimé Schoenig Student Center.
7:00 p.m.
GestuElles
Photography series by Jean-Jacques Ader
MONDAY, MARCH 16
Opening reception at 12:30 p.m.
Perpignan – Faculty of Education, ground-floor hallway.
Exhibition runs from March 16 to 31
They
Exhibition
TUESDAY, MARCH 17
Opening reception at 1:00 p.m.
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – (S)pace, (S)tation.
Exhibition runs from March 12 to April 10
Women
ConcertBy Raphaela Gromes and Julian Riem, duration: 2 hours (with intermission).
SATURDAY, MARCH 21,
Montpellier – Corum (Salle Pasteur), Esplanade Charles De Gaulle.
7:00 p.m.
Is a world without oppression possible?
Lecture
By Emilia Roig.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25,
Via video conference.
12:15 p.m. > 1:30 p.m.
From the “Me Too” Movement to Sisterhood
An Evening of Reading Set to Music
Featuring Anna Zamore, director, and Bololipsum, musician.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
, Montpellier – Triolet Campus – MDE Françoise Barré-Sinoussi.
7:00 p.m. > 9:00 p.m.
Workshop on Mental, Emotional, Verbal, and Physical Self-Defense
Hosted by Idaline Lortiga
Open only to female students (cis and trans) at theUM
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – Building 3, workshop room.
9 a.m. > 5 p.m.
Autism and Gender: Let's Change Our Perspective!
Lecture TUESDAY, MARCH 31
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – Building 7, Dumontet Lecture Hall and online.
12:15 p.m. > 1:45 p.m.
March 8: International Women's Rights Day
Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Rights Day has its roots in the struggles of the early 20th century: female workers and suffragists were fighting for better working conditions and for the right to vote, which was not granted in France until 1944.
For nearly 40 years, this international day of demonstrations has provided an opportunity to take stock of the situation faced by women around the world. As a day of struggle for women’s rights, it remains as relevant as ever.