Tagged: IWD2025
Five impactful ways to recognize International Women's Day
International Womenâs Day is approaching quickly. The annual global call to action sparks important conversations about womenâs equality and safety and reflects on the work still needed. On March 8, we will also celebrate women's achievements in our businesses and communities.
We donât need to wait for IWD to #AccelerateAction! Every day is a great day to support and celebrate women, non-binary, trans, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The blog highlights the need for IWD and ways your organization can showcase its support on March 8 and throughout the year.
Why do we need International Womenâs Day?
The fight for equality
The first IWD took place in 1911, and over a century later, weâre still fighting for equality. According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations, to reach full gender parity.
A changing political landscape
Legal protections, funding and support for women and non-binary people have been challenged and dismantled. The rights of women, trans, non-binary and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, reproductive freedom, and more became key issues in the 2024 United States election, with a resounding impact on countries worldwide.
As the newly elected US President Trump takes his first weeks and months in office, the swift action he and his cabinet have taken to limit resources, training, protection and rights of people is alarming.
Outdated rhetoric
In addition to Vice President JD Vance calling prominent Democrats âchildless cat ladiesâ as a criticism and insult, Vance and President Trump have advocated for the âtraditional family structureâ and suggested that adults without children should pay higher taxes and have fewer voting rights.
In an October 2024 CNN article, they noted that âIn a national AEI survey, 60% of Republican men and about 40% of Republican women said women asking for equal treatment are really seeking âspecial favours.â Most Republican men and women also agreed that society no longer needs to do more to ensure equal rights for women.â
World Crises
UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, has called the conflict in Gaza a âwar on women.â In a January 23, 2025 article, Amnesty International shared that an average of 63 women are killed each day, and those who survive have a dramatically increased risk of infection due to a devastated health care system, lack of sanitation and clean water and verging on famine.
Gaza isnât the only country involved in conflict right now, and women throughout the world are impacted and threatened by war, famine, inadequate safety, poor living conditions and more.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Here in Canada, the National Inquiry into MMIWG wrapped up over four years ago, but only 2 of the 231 Calls for Justice have been implemented by the Government of Canada.
According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence. While Indigenous people make up only 4.3% of the Canadian population, Indigenous women make up 16% of the female homicide victims. Theyâre also more likely to experience physical and sexual assault than non-Indigenous women.
How you can support IWD 2025
This yearâs theme is Accelerate Action, emphasizing the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. As the Starling Social Founder (and woman business owner) Alyson stated in 2023, âAll efforts advancing womenâs equality are welcome and should be respected. There is no one right way to celebrate.â
Here are five ways you can support IWD this year (and always):
1. Support women-owned businesses
There are amazing women-owned businesses in every industry. From retail to restaurants, artistic to corporate needs, a women-owned business would appreciate your support!
In Manitoba, you can access a Womenâs Business Directory from WeMB. Look for something similar in your city!
2. Celebrate women
You send an uplifting message to a woman in your life, shout out to your favourite women entrepreneurs on social media, honour the women in your organization and more. Additionally, you could:
- Read and share books, podcasts and products by women
- Hire women speakers and attend events with women panelists and keynotes
- Share and celebrate womenâs achievements: look for top lists, women-based award programs and more to honour these amazing people!
- Join women-based organizations. Locally in Winnipeg, we have the Winnipeg Womenâs Community, Hustle & Charm and Council of Women Winnipeg, just to name a few.
3. Be an educated ally
- Engage in Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) learning and practices
- Educate yourself on the issues
- Take action like speaking out against discrimination, advocating for policy change, organizing a fundraiser and more
- Support legislation that protects women, non-binary, trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ people
4. Support causes that support women and girls
You can donate your time, resources or money to support an organization that promotes womenâs rights, raises awareness for an issue affecting women or directly supports the needs of women in the community.
5. Use your sphere of influence for good
Share, share, share! You have a platform where you can start conversations, and share about your support for women-owned businesses and organizations helping women and more! Whether youâre starting conversations in person or sharing online, giving space and an outlet to raise the conversation is important and valuable!
You can learn more and get guidance and resources on the International Womenâs Day website. We canât wait to see how your #AccelerateAction this year!
