UN Women UK has partnered with the Network of Women in Events (NOWIE) to support this year's Big Survey, a research project examining gender equality, workplace culture and experiences of sexual harassment across the events industry.
The collaboration will see UN Women UK contribute the foreword to the 2026 report, helping place the findings within the wider national conversation around preventing violence against women and girls and advancing gender equity.
Run annually by NOWIE, the Big Survey gathers insights from event professionals on gender dynamics, workplace policies, career satisfaction and experiences of sexual harassment and assault. This year's edition will build on findings from the 2025 report, with a greater focus on identifying practical solutions to the challenges women face in the sector.
NOWIE said it also intends to align this year's findings with the government's 2025 Freedom from Violence and Abuse Strategy, which aims to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.
Tabitha Morton, CEO of UN Women UK, said: "Violence against women and girls doesn't discriminate. It happens at every level, in every corner of society - and the events industry is no exception.
"That's why we're supporting NOWIE's Big Survey: to build the evidence base that shows what's really happening to women in this industry, and turn that evidence into action. Because all women and girls deserve safety, choice, and voice - at work, and everywhere else."
Cat Kevern, managing director of NOWIE, described the partnership as an important step forward for the initiative.
"We're incredibly proud to be collaborating with UN Women UK on this year's Big Survey," she said. "From the moment we began working together, I've been inspired not only by the vital work UN Women UK is doing to advance gender equality and end violence against women and girls, but also by the passion and expertise of its team. It's a real privilege to be working alongside such brilliant people.
"Our ambition has always been to ensure the voices of women working across the events industry are not only heard, but translated into meaningful action. By combining robust research with the expertise of organisations like UN Women UK, we have a genuine opportunity to influence workplace culture, inform policy and help create a safer, fairer events industry for everyone."
The Big Survey is now open to event professionals across the industry, with both men and women encouraged to take part before responses close in August 2026.
The findings will inform NOWIE's latest report into gender equality and workplace experiences within the events sector.
