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Got a 'Give To Gain' spoken word poem you'd like to share with the world?
Annually, International Women's Day (IWD) provides an exciting opportunity for women creatives to showcase their support for gender equality.
Spoken word poetry provides a powerful and impactful art form for raising awareness about gender equality.
Rallying communities through spoken word poetry
Highly talented and accomplished spoken word poet, Sharena Lee Satti, has inspired her community to collaborate on an IWD 2026 poem.
Sharena successfully orchestrated a talented group of women to create and share their own Give To Gain pieces and messaging.
Watch their impressive efforts below.
Enjoy this IWD 2026 Give To Gain spoken word poem: When we Give to Gain
When we Give we all Gain
We are all one heart of the same
I will give you a breath to breathe
So our breaths can gather a breath for others in need
I will give you the gift of my senses for you to speak your existence into
So your universe feels heard
I will be the possible to your impossible
The hope you can believe
Because of you, I believe,
My power is multiplied by the love that I give
and in turn receive,
Love in abundance through our communities,
Women to women,
A language that only we can truly speak,
I hear you, I see you and I feel you,
And together, anything and everything is possible if you just believe.
And if we come together
Share our stories and our dreams
Then we inspire and strengthen each other for all to see
I will give you my ear,
Not just to listen,
But to actually hear.
If you feel like the world has turned away,
I will always listen to the words you have to say.
Help you give a voice to the stories that have formed you,
Shaped and carved every unique piece of you.
So tell them direct and straight from the heart,
Together we can shape them into beauty and art.
When you give me permission to share your journey
I cradle your words in my presence
Creating respect and honour placing them into your feelings
A caring kindness with a smile meaning to heal your hearts' tiredness
I give my soul as a resting place
A listening board to help you put everything into place
It holds prayers and sincere intentions for you
A silent understanding
A powerful connection
Making the way for the almighty’s protection.
If I, if I was to Give to Gain I sometimes I think I would go insane.
I'd cross the ocean to others just to give and make them sane. Because giving is receiving and if I can't receive to give, then what is the purpose of my love?
Love is given and giving is to receive.
If only all of us could find love within
We'd be free of inner disease.
If we Give to Gain you would see being a good person, doesn't depend on your religion, status, skin colour. It depends on how we treat others.
If we Give to Gain, we could find harmony and peace.
I give my breath where silence stays,
You give your time in quiet ways.
I lift my voice so hers can rise,
A shared horizon, widened skies.
Nothing is lost when hearts align,
We grow together yours and mine.
When we join hands, we are one body
When we share our light, we illuminate the dark
One Garden, Multiple blooms
One Chorus with one voice
Different bodies, one heart
When we give, we receive the world.
When we Give we Gain
A droplet of rain becomes the ocean.
Credit to the talented women of spoken word poetry
A huge special thank you to the super incredible women who have contributed to this impressive video: A collective poem by Sharena Lee Satti.
The talented women are: Lauren Kara, Fiona Goddard, Asma, Jodie, Javaira, Leslie Clifford, Eniola Omorinkoba, and Jamie Lowbridge.
As Sharena Lee Satti says: "May the words meet you where they’re needed."
Sharena Lee Satti is an accomplished published poet
Sharena Lee Satti's second collection Shhhhh was published on National Poetry Day by award-winning publishing company Verve Poetry.
Sharena is a multi-nominated poet, spoken-word artist, mentor, and creative facilitator whose work sits at the intersection of poetry, social justice, wellbeing, and community connection. Known for her emotionally resonant performances and inclusive approach to creativity, Sharena uses words as a tool for healing, dialogue, and meaningful change.
Her work has reached local, national, and international stages, including collaborations with Women of the World (WOW), the National Poetry Centre, and British Council - supported projects, including creative work in Nepal that centred around global storytelling, cultural exchange, and women’s voices. These experiences have shaped Sharena’s deeply empathetic practice and her ability to hold space across cultures, ages, and lived experiences.
Sharena has delivered and facilitated poetry workshops, talks, and performances across:
- schools, colleges, and universities
- community and grassroots organisations
- festivals and cultural institutions
- wellbeing, leadership, and empowerment spaces
She is also a dedicated mentor, supporting emerging poets and creatives to find their voice, build confidence, and navigate the creative industry with integrity and care. Her mentoring work is rooted in accessibility, encouragement, and lived experience ensuring people feel seen, heard, and capable of growth. Locally, Sharena is a well-known figure in the UK's thriving Bradford cultural scene. She has been celebrated as a Bradford Yorkshire Champion and lauded as one of 21 people selected in 2021 making a significant impact on Bradford’s cultural scene.
Sharena is a UK National Diversity Awards nominee, was nominated as a finalist for the Ruth Rendell Award, and her poetry collections have been published by award-winning presses, with her work widely recognised for its honesty, compassion, and social relevance. She is also the founder of Spoke, a community-led organisation delivering spoken-word poetry workshops that amplify underrepresented voices and foster creative confidence.
Whether performing on stage, leading a workshop, delivering a keynote talk, or mentoring one-to-one, Sharena brings heart, clarity, and presence. Her work doesn’t just inspire, it invites participation, reflection, and action. Sharena is available for workshops, keynote talks, performances, mentoring programmes, and collaborative projects.
Send in your own #GiveToGain spoken word poetry
Inspired by this collaborative creation?
Looking to share your own IWD 2026 #GiveToGain spoken word poem?
Check out some inspiration and background regarding the #GiveToGain campaign here.
Send in your video and/or words if you'd like your creation shared with the world, and your profile promoted on the IWD website and social channels.