This year Outernet London, the UK’s most visited cultural attraction is proud to unveil its biggest ever programme of exhibitions and installations across the giant Outernet screens, all celebrating International Women’s Month. With everything completely free to enter, the programme will launch on International Women’s Day on March 8th and run throughout the rest of the month.
From portraits of some of the most inspiring and influential women shot for The Independent to large scale live illustration across the Outernet screens celebrating the achievements of women, visitors to Outernet will be able to experience a huge range of arts, culture, photography and storytelling that celebrates women’s creativity, influence and cultural leadership, while confronting the systemic challenges and inequalities they continue to navigate around the world.
The programme in full is:
ActionAid’s Women by Women – March 4th
Women by Women is ActionAid’s flagship photography exhibition celebrating women both behind and in front of the camera. It uses ActionAid’s Anti-Racist Storytelling principles to shatter stereotypes and champion their collective work with women and women’s rights organisations across the world. It celebrates the incredible talent of women photographers, who are often under-represented.
The Outernet show will feature standout images from Women By Women exhibitions over the last five years, spotlighting women leaders from across four continents whose vital work is transforming communities.
Illustrated Live – March 8th
This International Women’s Day, Outernet London presents Illustrated Live — a real-time celebration of female achievement on the giant screens of The Now Building. From 12–7pm, UK artist Katie Chappell will be illustrating live on screen, transforming powerful stories into vibrant, large-scale artworks before a public audience. Across the day, Katie will explore trailblazing women, untold histories, hard truths, inspiring facts, personal gratitude, collective challenges and — most importantly — the extraordinary achievements of women past and present. Audiences are invited to take part by submitting their own illustration requests via Instagram and TikTok DMs, helping shape the live content as it unfolds. A dynamic, collaborative moment in the heart of London — celebrating women’s voices, impact and creativity in real time.
The Independent: Independent Women 2026: The Influence List —March 8th
Independent Women 2026: The Influence List returns to Outernet for the third year and recognises the 50 most influential women shaping British society today The installation will be on free public display throughout March, raising awareness of The Independent’s charity partner, Refuge. The campaign aims to advance gender equality by showcasing achievement, amplifying women’s voices, inspiring future talent and improving women’s lives.
GLA – from March 4th
To mark International Women’s Day, the Mayor of London will be sending a message on the Outernet screen to support women. As part of the Mayor’s long-running support for women, the screens will show a range of messages calling on everyone to stand with women today and every day.
Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard said: “It’s fantastic to be partnering with the Outernet on International Women’s Day to shine a light on the importance of supporting women.
“We are committed to creating a city where every woman and girl is empowered, safe and able to thrive, and that is why the Mayor is providing record investment to keep women and girls safe, as we build a fairer and safer London for all.”
STYLIST – March 17th
For International Women’s Day 2026, Stylist will launch an ambitious social‑impact campaign exploring the formative messages women absorb while growing up and the lasting effect these have on confidence, identity and ambition. Developed in response to new research from Think Stylist highlighting the lingering influence of early lessons, the initiative brings together influential voices, cultural storytelling and educational expertise to spark a national conversation about the life lessons we wish we’d been taught at school.
Designed to stop people in their tracks – to challenge, to move and to resonate long after you’ve walked away – the campaign will roll out across print, digital, social and an Outernet activation running from March 17th to 31st. Further details will be revealed by Stylist on International Women’s Day.
Ad Week Future is Female – March 26th
Advertising Week Europe will present the winners of the sixth UK edition of the global Future is Female Awards, which celebrates the trailblazing women redefining the future of the creative economy.
The Future is Female Awards began as a commitment to recognise women navigating the creative industries and has since evolved into a thriving global community – one where women aren’t just winning awards, but are hiring, working together and driving genuine change.
The Outernet show will feature images of the 10 winners, who will be announced during Advertising Week Europe 2026, taking place from 24th–26th March at 180 Studios on The Strand.
Recognition for women still matters in 2026 because the workplace was not built around us. We must create our own spaces, and there is something incredibly powerful about seeing that vision take physical form. We are honoured to be part of Outernet’s programme and remain committed to being at the forefront of the conversation.
Advertising Week Europe is one of the continent’s most significant gatherings of the creative economy. The event will convene more than 7,000 attendees across 100+ sessions, bringing together leading figures in business, politics, technology and media to address the big questions shaping the creative industries.
Jessica Dracup-Holland, CMO Outernet said: “International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate women’s creativity, women in leadership and progress already made, while also recognising the conversations and action still needed to achieve true equality. This year marks our most ambitious Women’s Month campaign to date, bringing together extraordinary artists, storytellers, media partners and global organisations to transform Outernet’s screens into a powerful platform for women’s voices and perspectives.
“We’re honoured to continue our collaboration with partners including The Independent and The Mayor of London, alongside welcoming new creative contributors whose work challenges, inspires and connects audiences in meaningful ways. By making every exhibition in the series completely free to experience, we’re ensuring these stories are accessible to everyone, creating shared cultural moments in the heart of London.”
