Women in Games (WiG) has announced the launch of the Women in Games Manifesto 2026, a call to action aimed at rebalancing gender representation and fairness across the global video games industry.
In a statement, WiG observes that, “At a time when games are the most influential storytelling medium in the world, the Manifesto addresses a persistent imbalance: while women make up nearly half of all players, they represent fewer than a third of the industry’s workforce. The Women in Games Manifesto sets out to change that by positioning equality not as an aspiration, but as a strategic and cultural necessity for the future of games.”
The Manifesto outlines 14 core reasons why empowering women in games is critical, linking inclusive game development directly to innovation, creativity, sustainability, and cultural impact.
It also introduces Women in Games Voices: The Living Guide, an evolution of the organisation’s long-standing advocacy work, designed as a dynamic global platform amplifying the lived experiences of women across the industry through video, podcasts, essays and educational resources.
Women in Games CEO Dr Marie-Claire Isaaman said, “Progress does not happen by accident – it happens when people come together with clarity, courage and purpose. The Women in Games Manifesto is a living commitment to rebalancing the scales and ensuring that women are not only part of the future of games, but are helping to design it.”
Framing fairness as an active process
WiG states that the launch of the 2026 Manifesto comes amid, “Continued challenges for women and gender-diverse professionals in games, including disparities in pay, leadership representation, workplace safety and visibility.” The Manifesto responds by framing fairness as an active process and setting out Women in Games’ work across five key spheres of action: Industry, Education, Policy, Community and Culture.
Central to the Manifesto – and all of the work of Women in Games – is partnership. Women in Games works alongside Corporate, Education, and Individual Ambassadors, as well as global Chapters and Networks, to drive systemic change across studios, classrooms, boardrooms, and communities worldwide.
Dr Isaaman added, “As the industry looks toward futures shaped by AI, virtual worlds and the metaverse, who builds those systems matters. Fairness is not charity — it is strategy. When women thrive, the industry thrives. This Manifesto is an invitation to the entire ecosystem to build a fair playing field together.”
You can view and download the Women in Games Manifesto 2026 here.
Aurora celebrating women in the UK games industry
Women in Games were also partners for this month’s Aurora: Celebrating women in the UK games industry with a live award presentation at Pocket Gamer Connects London 2026. Announcing 10 women shaping the industry in 2026, recipients spanned creative direction, games development, recruitment, operations, law, sustainability and advocacy. You can see the full list of the women featured in the Aurora UK initiative here.
Aurora will return with more region specific editions later this year.
Steve is an award-winning editor and copywriter with more than 20 years’ experience specialising in consumer technology and video games. With a career spanning from the first PlayStation to the latest in VR, he's proud to be a lifelong gamer.
