World’s Largest Gender Equality Conference Heads to the Oceanic Pacific Region in 2026 – Women Deliver

World’s Largest Gender Equality Conference Heads to the Oceanic Pacific Region in 2026

21 January 2025 l Women Deliver Deliver proudly announced today that the Oceanic Pacific Region will host and lead the highly anticipated Women Deliver 2026 Conference (WD2026), which will take place in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia, from April 27-30, 2026.

Women Deliver Conferences are the world’s largest convenings for gender equality. To date, they have brought together over 30,000 advocates, experts, decision-makers, and leaders to foster unity, spark ideas, and drive global collective action. These efforts have mobilized over $1 billion USD in global and country-level investments to advance gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), while also being instrumental in prioritizing maternal health on the international development agenda.

As the first regionally hosted Women Deliver conference, WD2026 will bring together advocates and champions to advance gender equality and SRHR. “We are thrilled to work with our partners in the Oceanic Pacific to bring one of the most influential spaces for gender equality to the region. We look forward to collaborating with and learning from gender equality advocates — including feminist activists, First Nations leaders, and more — to advance the health and rights of adolescent girls and women not only in the Oceanic Pacific but around the world,” said Women Deliver President and CEO Dr. Maliha Khan.

With 6,500+ attendees from 170+ countries expected, WD2026 reflects the leadership of Oceanic Pacific advocates dedicated to shifting power to feminists from the region. With the climate crisis, threats to bodily autonomy and health rights, and rising inequalities, WD2026 will be a critical and transformative space to redefine international norms, drive actionable outcomes, and shape a progressive global agenda.

“I’m excited to have the conference hosted in the Oceanic Pacific region, as it provides a powerful opportunity to showcase the rich cultural diversity of Te Moana Nui, highlighting the importance of local solutions and global solidarity in advancing gender equality for all, particularly gender-diverse people,” said Louisa Wall, Former MP and Ambassador for Gender Equality (Pacific)/Tuia Tāngata.

“Victoria is a world leader when it comes to gender equality, the prevention of family violence and the gender pay gap — this conference will bring thousands of experts from all over the world to work together with local experts and drive global outcomes for women,” stated Natalie Hutchins, Minister for Women.

The bid for Narrm (Melbourne) on behalf of the Oceanic Pacific was led by the Melbourne Convention Bureau. We acknowledge the support from Tourism Australia’s Business Events fund to secure this event for Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact: Kim Lufkin, Director of Communications, media@womendeliver.org.

About Women Deliver: 

Women Deliver is a global advocacy organization guided by one end result: that every girl and woman exercises her rights to full bodily autonomy and health. Learn more: www.womendeliver.org.