International Women's Day (IWD) celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Run annually on March 8, the day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. IWD provides an important moment to showcase commitment to women's equality, launch new initiatives and action, celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness, highlight gender parity gains and more.
The day is celebrated and supported globally by industry, governments, educational institutions, community groups, professional associations, women's networks, charities and non-profit bodies, the media and more.
Collectively every person and all groups can make a difference within their sphere of influence by taking concrete action to help drive gender parity. From small powerful grassroots gatherings to largescale conference and event audiences - International Women's Day Day is celebrated everywhere. It's a big day for inspiration and change.
#PressforProgress campaign on IWD and beyond
One of the most powerful ways you can influence how quickly gender parity is achieved is through championing your own #PressforProgress campaign within your own community, network, organisation or group. Each year an annual IWD campaign theme is kicked off on March 8, with its focus and activity supported by groups all year long. The IWD campaign theme unifies direction and galvanises activity to provide a meaningful framework for connected action throughout the year.
International Women's Day planning checklist
Always maintain a gender parity mindset. Continuously develop and extend your own mindset to proactively seek out and forge women's equality, while supporting others to explore their own views and beliefs about equality. Ask friends and colleagues what progressive actions they're taking to help drive gender parity (e.g. challenge statements that limit women; use inclusive language; call out stereotypes).
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD IWD SELFIE CARDS
Use the #PressforProgress selfie cards to engage colleagues and friends via social media amplification, with the hands out (pressing) action to show your support, using the #PressforProgress and #IWD2018 hashtags.
STEP 2 DOWNLOAD IWD POSTERS
Download the #PressforProgress posters and ask colleagues to think about what progressive actions they can take and write them, or add yellow sticky notes, listing their ideas and commitments.
STEP 3: EMBED THE IWD WIDGET
Embed the #PressforProgress widget on your own website or intranet and call for others to declare progressive action. Crowdsource a collective #PressforProgress to help drive gender parity. See an example here of how the IWD widget looks when embedded in a website.
STEP 4: DECLARE ACTION
Ask friends and colleagues to declare progressive action on the IWD website then share their commitment via the social media sharing options.
STEP 5: WATCH IWD VIDEOS
Watch the purposeful IWD videos (2018 videos coming soon) as discussion starters, or broadcast them at IWD events to educate, motivate, challenge and inspire audiences. Submit your own videos for potential inclusion.
STEP 6: USE YOUR IWD EVENT PACK ITEMS TO BRAND SPACES
IWD Event Pack items instantly create an engaging and professional atmosphere for IWD events and awareness raising, so use them with pride.
STEP 7: USE THE IWD LOGO FOR EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS
Many companies and groups arond the world, after approval, use the IWD Logo to share support with fellow employees, external clients, suppliers and general communications - via a whole range of ways including: email signature blocks, screensavers, yammer branding, lift well displays, canteen posters, CEO messaging, foyer communications, client and supplier correspondence, social media branding, etc.
STEP 8: SEARCH OR PUBLISH IWD EVENTS
Participate in IWD events worldwide or promote your own via the IWD website.
STEP 9: CONTRIBUTE YOUR OWN IWD RESOURCES
Got useful resources to share? Send through resources to be considered for inclusion on the IWD website.
STEP 10: SEND IMAGES OF YOUR #PRESSFORPROGRESS ACTIVITY
Share images of your IWD and #PressforProgress activity, especially your IWD co-branded imagery showcasing your achievements, and perhaps flagging some ideas as "best practice" for IWD activity.
STEP 11: KEEP CHECKING BACK
Further information and resources will become available in the lead up to IWD, so please keep checking back regularly.
Let's all #PressforProgress on this International Women's Day and beyond.
Source: International Womens Day
How to resolve AdBlock issue?