10 Unique Ways to Celebrate IWD 2024
Save the date for March 8.
International Women's Day is a global call to action, recognizing and amplifying the contributions of women across the social, economic, cultural, and political landscape. Last year, we wrote a list of ways your business can celebrate IWD, but as time goes on, best practices evolve (yay, progress!), so we thought we would create a list of more ways to #InspireInclusion.
What Is International Women’s Day?
IWD stretches back to 1911, evolving over the years. Now, diversity, equity and inclusion are non-negotiable. With the help of social media, feminism has a global voice, organizations face scrutiny for their bad actions, and we are able to challenge stereotypes and biases. (See: Kyte Baby scandal)
Recognized by the United Nations in 1977, IWD has since become a global phenomenon, with each year focusing on themes related to women's rights, equality, and empowerment. This year’s theme is Inspire Inclusion. When women are included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.
Why Is International Women’s Day Important?
If you’re reading this blog and thinking, “it seems pretty fair to me,” then let’s look at some stats:
Women represent roughly 1 in 4 C-suite leaders, and women of colour just 1 in 16. - Women in the Workplace report 2023
Canada has registered a 0.2 percentage-point decline in the overall parity score since the last edition, the United States has seen a reduction of 2.1 percentage points. At the current rate of progress, 95 years will be needed to close the gender gap for the region. - Global Gender Gap Report
There are stats on the “glass ceiling,” micro-aggressions in the workplace, ambition levels, remote and flexible work — you name it. The data clearly shows that women (particularly women of colour) are underrepresented, under-compensated, and passed over in the workplace.
This day serves as a powerful reminder of women's ongoing challenges in various spheres of life. It sparks discussions on women's rights, creates awareness about gender inequality, and mobilizes efforts to accelerate gender parity.
Peek into reports like the Women in the Workplace Report and the Global Gender Gap Report for a snapshot of progress and a reminder of the urgency for continued action.
By amplifying women's voices, sharing diverse stories, and promoting inclusivity, IWD contributes to the larger movement for building a more equitable and just society for everyone. With that said, here are ways to celebrate IWD in 2024.
Highlight Women-Owned (Especially BIPOC Women) Small Businesses
This is something we try to do all the time, but we also suffer from burnout and high expenses… and Amazon is just there when it’s -40 outside.
However, we are lucky to have several resources* that help us find women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses.
*Black-Owned Manitoba and BIPOC-Owned Downtown Winnipeg lists don’t list whether it’s a women-owned business, so you may need to do some of your own research. Here are a few BIPOC+women-owned businesses we personally recommend:
If you aren’t financially able to support women-owned businesses in this season of your life, we understand. Here are some free ways to support them:
- Attend events they host
- Leave a Google Review
- Like/Comment + Share a post on your social media
- Collaborate with them on your blog/podcast/website
- Tell your friends and family how great the business is
- Volunteer your skills (graphic design, copywriting, etc.)
- Listen to what they have to say and read their content (like this blog!)
Support Charities for Women
When we think of International Women’s Day, our first response is a celebration. However, it should also be a reminder that we need to accelerate gender parity. Charities focused on women's issues often work tirelessly to amplify the voices of those who might otherwise go unheard. By supporting these organizations, you contribute to creating a platform where women's stories, challenges, and triumphs can be shared, acknowledged and tackled.
There are a ton of charities to back, from local to global, and education to fighting gender-based violence. Bolstering these charities makes a lasting difference.
Support Charities Run by Women
When you support charities run by women, you actively contribute to breaking down gender stereotypes, promoting representation in leadership roles, and inspiring future generations.
These initiatives often emphasize intersectionality, recognizing and addressing the interconnected nature of various forms of discrimination, ensuring a more inclusive and comprehensive approach. Backing women-led charities is a tangible investment in creating a world where women have equal opportunities, rights, and access to resources, making a collective and lasting impact on the advancement of women's rights and overall societal well-being.
How You Can Support
Donate:
Every dollar counts. Whether it's a one-time or recurring contribution. Choose a charity aligned with your values and causes you're passionate about.
Volunteer:
Offer your time and skills to women-focused charities. Your expertise could make a significant difference in their initiatives.
Spread Awareness:
Share their stories and achievements on your social platforms.
Invest in DEI Training for Your Business
Diversity Equity and Inclusion training aligns with the core values of IWD and serves as a proactive step toward creating workplaces that are fair, inclusive, and supportive of women. These programs provide opportunities to address unconscious biases, challenge stereotypes, and foster a culture where diverse voices are heard and valued.
Sign Up For Leadership Training
Leadership training empowers women to overcome barriers, break through gender stereotypes, and navigate challenges in professional settings. It also aligns with the spirit of IWD by creating a supportive network and promoting the idea that women deserve equal opportunities to lead and excel in diverse fields.
Read a Book Written by a Woman
Here’s the thing: it really can be this easy. Everyone has a different capacity on how they are able to contribute to things like International Women’s Day. Some people have the time, resources and energy to organize an event, others can make a donation, and some people truly don’t have the time, energy or resources to do those things.
If you want to commit to buying books only written by women about women this year from a woman-owned bookstore — that’s fabulous.
But, if you are limited to library books and are looking for a great story and only have the energy to read one book per year, then pick a book written by a woman. Do what you can.
Listen to Podcasts with Womens’ Perspectives
When you tune in to women-led podcasts, you amplify diverse perspectives, celebrate women's achievements, and empower female content creators. It serves as a conscious choice to challenge stereotypes, promote gender equality, and build a sense of community around the shared experience of appreciating and learning from women's narratives. It's a deliberate act of support, recognition, and celebration of women's valuable contributions and stories across various fields and experiences.
Offer Discounts to Women-Owned/Led Businesses on Services
Addressing financial challenges and creating cost-saving opportunities builds lasting partnerships and increases women-owned enterprises' visibility. It contributes to corporate social responsibility, inspires confidence among women entrepreneurs, and aligns with the broader mission of IWD to create a more inclusive and equal world.
Plus, it feels good to do something nice for another woman-led company.
Don’t Laugh at Misogynistic Jokes
Sorry, Matt Rife, it’s just not funny.
By dismissing or trivializing misogynistic humour, we inadvertently endorse attitudes that demean and devalue women. When you choose not to laugh at misogynistic jokes, it’s a small but impactful step in fostering a more inclusive and respectful society.
Our go-to responses for inappropriate jokes:
- Ask them to repeat it
- Ask them to explain it
- Say, “I’m surprised you felt comfortable to say that out loud.”
- Express that it made you uncomfortable
- Just don’t laugh
#InspireInclusion
This year’s theme of International Women’s Day is Inspire Inclusion.
- When women aren't present, ask: "If not, why not?"
- When women are discriminated against, call out poor practice.
- When the treatment of women is not equitable, take action.
- Do this each time, every time.
All IWD activity is valid, that's what makes it so inclusive. Do what you can, when you can. Every action counts. Learn more on the International Women’s Day website.
