5 Ways to #InspireInclusion This International Women’s Day

As sure as the earth revolves around the sun, we are once again approaching March 8th, in other words International Women’s Day (JIF).

JIF has been observed in one form or another since the early 1900sIn 1908, 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote.

Today, IWD is a global event aimed at both celebrating and raising awareness of hard-won social, economic, cultural and political gains. Women’s AchievementsIt is also a day to educate and mobilize people about the ongoing struggle for gender equality, gender equalityAnd bodily autonomy-to name a few.

The theme of this auspicious year of 2024 is Inspiring inclusion: a call to pay attention to the importance of meaningful diversity and legitimate empowerment in all facets of society. And a reminder that achieving gender equality requires breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and cultivating environments where all women are valued and respected. Not just those who are in a position of opportunity and are able to occupy a place in the world, but also those who come from marginalized communities. Meaningfully including women means truly embracing their diversity of race, age, experience, ability, faith, body image, and orientation, to name a few.

How to #InspireInclusion on IWD

Ultimately, IWD deserves to be celebrated in whatever form one deems appropriate. Organisations, groups and individuals can all play an important role in celebrating the day, whether in the community, at work, at home or on the street.

Need some inspiration? Here are five ways to #InspireInclusion on March 8:

1. Participate in the #InspireInclusion photo challenge

This year, IWD organizers are encouraging organizations to take photos of their staff striking the IWD 2024 pose (simply making a heart shape with their hands). That said, individuals can also participate in this challenge. The idea is, of course, to share the photos or videos on social media, along with relevant resources, presentations or articles, using the hashtags #IWD2024 and #InspireInclusion. This is a great opportunity for businesses to step up, show solidarity and support, and engage meaningfully within and beyond their networks. True story: Sometimes important conversations start with a hashtag. You can also Submit your team photos to be featured on IWD global social media channels.

2. Organize or participate in a roundtable discussion

Listening to women share their life experiences, challenges, knowledge and expert advice is one of the best ways to motivate yourself to take action. Whether online or in person, there’s no shortage of truly inspiring IWD events planned, with fantastic speakers. If you’re planning to host an event at your workplace, congratulations! Hosting a learning session of any kind will help educate employees about the importance of the day and show the women in your company that they’re recognized and supported. Make sure to spread the word across all channels! Alternatively, you can look for interesting events in your industry or community and encourage your staff (or friends!) to attend with you. International Women’s Day Events Page is a great place to start, but you can also see what’s happening at your local universities, libraries or community centers.

3. Review your internal diversity and inclusion strategy

While snap photo ops and attending events provide us with deeper knowledge and awareness that we can then pass on to others, long-term advocacy is fundamental to any real change. If you are in a leadership and/or decision-making position in your workplace, you can play a key role in pushing for more transparent and participatory decision-making processes, more women in leadership positions, and better compensation structures to ensure equal payWhile there is still much work to be done, you can (and should!) still play a role in moving this proverbial hurdle forward by working with your team to build a super-strong D&I strategy for women – and for everyone.

4. Support more women-owned businesses

Whether you’re responsible for purchasing decisions at your company or simply pride yourself on being a socially responsible consumer (or both), you can and should empower women-owned businesses (like Bellesa!) by purchasing products and services from them. Not just during IWD, but all year round, of course. By doing so, you’re contributing to more inclusive economic opportunities and global empowerment. You heard it here first! Take it a step further by sharing your purchases with your friends and family on social media, using it as an opportunity to let others know where you bought them. Like the idea but don’t know where to start? You can start with a simple search for “women-owned businesses near me.”

5. Go down to the street

Sometimes the best way to encourage inclusion—and feel included—is to march in large numbers with like-minded women, men, and allies of all genders. IWD marches aren’t happening in every city, but you can check the IWD events database to see if there’s a march planned in your area. If so, you and/or your family, friends, or coworkers could all join in. Make it fun by hosting a banner or sign-making meeting beforehand. If not, and you have a dedicated and inspired team, you might just want to consider taking the lead in organizing an IWD march next year, in 2025!

And finally, why not take #InspireInclusion to heart in your daily life, cultivating a more genuine sense of welcome towards the badass women and girls in your life? Tip: start with yourself! After all, a little love of self tends to spread outward and can go a long way in making the world a stronger, more inclusive place. <3