International Women’s Day 2026 - why gender-responsive standards matter

International Women’s Day is a reminder to imagine a world that is equitable, inclusive and free from bias. For Standards New Zealand, that vision becomes real through the standards that shape how New Zealanders live, work and stay safe — often in ways we never see, but always feel.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, 'Give to gain', speaks directly to standards development. Standards are built on contribution — of expertise, evidence and lived experience. When those contributions reflect the diversity of the people who rely on standards, the gains are shared by everyone.

For much of history, however, women’s perspectives were missing from technical decision‑making. Standards were often designed around a narrow set of assumptions, resulting in systems, products and environments that didn’t work equally well for all.

Today, that is changing — and women involved in standards development are helping lead that change.

This International Women’s Day, we spoke with four women representing New Zealand on standards committees about why women’s participation in standards development matters — and what changes when more diverse voices help shape technical decisions.

Giving expertise, gaining impact

For Wendy Harker - a dairy farmer, cattle breeder and inspector, former President of Holstein Friesian New Zealand, and chair of Standards New Zealand P8100 technical committee - involvement in standards development has been about more than technical input. It’s been about connection, learning and influence.

“By giving, you gain a lot of opportunities to work with other amazing people who give you the opportunity to learn. It creates networks within your industry and gives you a deeper understanding of how decisions are made.”

Wendy’s experience reflects a broader reality of standards committees. They are not just technical forums, they are places where collaboration, lived experience and diverse expertise strengthen quality, transparency and trust across entire industries.

Better standards come from diverse voices

For Liz Ashwin, a New Zealand standard P3604 committee member and BOINZ (Building Officials Institute of New Zealand) representative, diversity is fundamental to good standards — not an optional extra.

“Standards affect how people live, work and stay safe across many areas. When the voices shaping them reflect the diversity of those who rely on them, we get better, more inclusive outcomes for everyone.”

As standards respond to new technologies and changing social expectations, diverse participation becomes even more critical — particularly in areas such as digital systems, transport and public infrastructure. When datasets, assumptions or decision‑makers lack diversity, the impacts are felt in everyday life.

For Dr Jackie Evans, Chief Science Officer at Comvita and an international ISO committee member for bee products, participation is both a responsibility and an opportunity.

“Standards development is about sharing expertise to strengthen quality, transparency and trust across an entire industry. Diverse voices, including women’s, are essential to ensure standards truly reflect the communities they serve.”

When standards overlook women, the consequences are real

When women’s perspectives are absent from standards development, the consequences show up in safety, comfort and accessibility.

For decades, vehicle crash testing relied on the “average male” body, and women are up to 73 percent more likely to be seriously injured in car crashes. The development of the THOR‑5F female crash‑test dummy is now helping correct this imbalance and improve safety outcomes for everyone.

Similarly, in protective clothing and PPE, ill‑fitting equipment increases injury risk. The inclusion of a female‑form manekin in ISO 13506‑1:2024 is a critical step forward, particularly for the nearly 2,000 female firefighters in New Zealand who rely on PPE that fits properly to do their role safely.

Even in buildings and workplaces, many temperature standards still draw on outdated models based on a 70‑kilogram male body. Research shows this can leave women uncomfortably cold while increasing energy use — a reminder that inclusive participation matters even in areas that may seem gender‑neutral.

Representation in standards development isn’t symbolic. It has real‑world consequences.

From guidance to action

Internationally, the UNECE Gender‑Responsive Standards Initiative(external link), alongside guidance from ISO and IEC, provides practical tools to identify gender impacts and strengthen participation in standards development.

Standards New Zealand has committed to applying this guidance, supporting more inclusive, evidence‑based standards development across sectors.

Step forward - your voice makes a difference

Standards don’t write themselves. They rely on people willing to contribute their knowledge and experience and to shape decisions that influence industries, safety and everyday life.

For women considering whether to step into standards development, the message from those already involved is simple: take the opportunity. The impact of participating in standards development extends well beyond the technical table.

As Jennifer Foley, Programme Manager at IANZ and international ISO 17020 WG31 committee member, encourages:

“I would encourage any woman considering involvement to take the opportunity. It’s a chance to share your knowledge, influence how industries operate, and connect with a network of experts working to improve outcomes for everyone.”

This International Women’s Day, the message is clear: when we give attention, evidence and representation to inclusive design, we gain safer, fairer and more effective standards for all New Zealanders.

Find a standards committee that interests you — and bring your voice to the table.

Committee opportunities – Standards New Zealand(external link)