To mark International Women's Day 2026, the International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN) organized a special webinar and released new conversations through the recently launched IFAN Podcast, highlighting the contribution of women to the global standardization system.
The webinar, held under the theme “Give to Gain”, brought together members of the IFAN Board to share their professional experiences and discuss how broader participation strengthens the standards development process. Speakers reflected on the increasing role of women in standards activities and emphasized the importance of ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented in technical discussions and decision-making.
As part of the initiative, IFAN also highlighted its new IFAN Podcast, which features a conversation with Sonya Bird from UL Standards & Engagement.
“Standards benefit when more voices are heard,” said Vered Oren, President of IFAN. “Encouraging broader participation of users – including more women – helps ensure that standards remain relevant, practical, and responsive to the needs of society.”
The webinar recording and podcast episodes are available online, on YouTube and Spotify.
