World Polio Day 2025 — Make Polio History

International Women's Day
8 March 2026

This International Women’s Day (IWD), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) celebrates the incredible women who are leading the way towards a polio-free future.

From leading programs, organizing campaigns, educating families, testing samples, and delivering vaccines, their work is essential to all aspects of the polio program. Join us in spotlighting their inspiring work.

Relevant Handles and Hashtags

GPEI partners:

Primary Hashtags:

#EndPolio

#MakePolioHistory

Spotlighting the Women of the Polio Program

Mothers are powerful advocates for their children’s health. In Djibouti, women community mobilizers are raising their voices to ensure every child in their community is protected, leading the way to a polio-free world. Together, we can #EndPolio [Djibouti community awareness clip]

Gender equality is essential to ending polio. In Mozambique, the polio program is launching gender‑responsive approaches, from educating women to engaging fathers, so families can protect every child. This #IWD2026, we celebrate the women driving this progress. [Mozambique community engagement clip]

By engaging fathers in the fight to #EndPolio, the polio program is helping build stronger allies for the women who are paving the way to a polio-free future. Working together, we can protect every child from this devastating disease [Engaging Fathers in Nigeria clip]

Behind every vaccinated child in Pakistan is a woman who went the extra mile.

This #InternationalWomensDay, GPEI Gender Champion @AyeshaRaza13 celebrates the health workers who are the backbone of polio eradication. #IWD2026 #EndPolio [Senator Ayesha Gender Champion video]

Door by door. Child by child. Community by community.

Women across Africa are writing the final chapter to #EndPolio. This #IWD2026, we celebrate them. [insert outbreaks video]

Thank you to the inspiring women around the world who are helping to #EndPolio – from scientists to program leaders to vaccinators. With your support we can #MakePolioHistory. #IWD2026 [GPEI compilation video]

Behind every step toward a polio-free world, you’ll find women leading the way. This #IWD2026 we’re celebrating the women of #TeamEndPolio who are champions both on and off the field, raising their voices so that every child can pursue their dreams in a future free from polio. [Women of TEP graphic]

This #IWD2026, we’re celebrating women like Marguerite, who for 25 years has walked the streets of Kisangani, megaphone in hand. Around the world, women like her work tirelessly to make sure no child is left behind. Read Marguerite’s story here: [link to Marguerite’s story]

21 years ago, Hasiua Mohammed vaccinated her first child against polio in Nigeria. Her own children were among them. Today, she is vaccinating their children. This #InternationalWomensDay, let’s celebrate polio warriors like Hasiua.💙

21 Years a Polio Warrior | UNICEF Nigeria

#IWD2026 #EndPolio

Community mobilizers are critical for building trust and helping ensure children receive the lifesaving vaccines they need to thrive. Khadija Gureye Abtidon is a grandmother and community mobilizer, using her voice and experience to encourage families to protect their children from preventable diseases like polio. [Ripple Effects Somalia UNICEF video]

This #IWD2026, we’re celebrating women like Teresa—a polio survivor and advocate who helped vaccinate children during a campaign in Angola, calling it one of the greatest moments of her life. Today, she’s using her voice to champion youth leadership and a polio‑free future for Africa. [Teresa’s story UNICEF video]

Ethiopia is battling a polio outbreak. Lemlem is not waiting for someone else to fix it. Every morning, she loads her vaccines and rides out. This #IWD2026, meet Lemlem, one of thousands of health workers driving Ethiopia toward a polio-free future.

[Keeping Polio at Bay | UNICEF Ethiopia]

Behind every step to #EndPolio, women are working behind the scenes—from scientists and advocates to frontline workers. Together we will deliver a polio-free future for children in Africa and around the world. [WHO AFRO animation]

Highlight the women fighting for a polio-free Africa:

Carla, a journalist in Mozambique informing communities about the importance of vaccination [share photo card]
Neli, a community leader in Malawi who inspired trust among hesitant families and helped ensure children were protected from polio through her outreach and messaging [share photo card]
Yvonne, a WHO epidemiologist who supported the closure of the type 1 polio outbreak in Madagascar last year [share photo card]

Suggested Themes for Long Form Content:

Thanking Women: Women play a critical role in polio eradication efforts. From leading programs, organizing campaigns, educating families, testing samples, and delivering vaccines, their work is essential to all aspects of the program.

GPEI Commitment: The GPEI is committed to investing in and uplifting women at all levels, who are bringing us closer to a polio-free world.

Continued Support: It is essential we continue to support these incredible women. With their leadership, a polio-free world is possible.

GPEI Commitment

Thank you to the polio program’s gender champion [insert gender champion handle] for standing with and supporting women who are paving the way towards a polio-free future. With your leadership we will #EndPolio #IWD2026 [insert corresponding quote card]

Thank You Donors

[@CanadaDev, @MohamedBinZayed, @FCDOGovUK, @GermanyDiplo, @AFD_France, @EIB, @KSRelief_EN] knows that supporting women is critical in the fight to #EndPolio. Thanks to their support, the polio program can continue to invest in the women who are leading the way towards a polio-free future. #MakePolioHistory

Women community mobilizers are at the heart of Pakistan’s fight to eradicate polio. This #IWD2026, we’re celebrating their leadership—and recognizing @CanadaDev and @Rotary, whose support for @UNICEF is helping strengthen community mobilization so more children can receive life‑saving polio drops. Read more: [insert link]