Top 13 Best Practices to Celebrate International Women’s Day differently at workplace
International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. This year, we're technically celebrating the 111th International Women's Day. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Embrace Equity”. Embracing equity involves eliminating sources of oppression and promoting fair treatment for women.
Top 13 Best Practices to Celebrate International Women’s Day differently at workplace
On this 8th of March, we are celebrating International Women’s Day, globally. International Women’s Day is a great way for organizations to show how much women have accomplished in the workplace.
International Women’s Day, also known as ‘IWD’ in short, grew out of the labour movement to become a recognized annual event by the United Nations (UN).
Clara Zetkin, a communist activist and advocate for women’s rights, founded International Women’s Day in 1910.
International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. This year, we’re technically celebrating the 111th International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day has been celebrated on March 8 since 1917, when during wartime Russian women struck for “bread and peace” and, in four days, the Tsar was forced to abdicate, and Russian women were granted voting rights. According to the Georgian calendar, the date of the women’s strike was March 8th.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Embrace Equity”. Embracing equity involves eliminating sources of oppression and promoting fair treatment for women.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity for the organization to really “Embrace Equity” for women in the workplace.
What can the organization do to make this International Women’s Day, a special and memorable day for all the women you have at work?
Here, the “People Manager‘ team has brought you some best practices to celebrate International Women’s Day differently at your workplace and embrace equity for women.
International Women’s Day is a day of recognition and activism to stand up for women and do extraordinary things on this day.
1. Engage an inspirational speaker and drop in on a meeting.
Go beyond traditional panels and speaker’s lunches and surprise your employees with a dose of inspiration and motivation during a regular team meeting on the same day. Invite a speaker to pop-in, in the middle of the meeting, to liven things up and empower women at the workplace. Make a 10- to 15-minute guest appearance of a keynote speaker and talk about women, wellness, and instill hope.
2. Create Theme based Women care packages.
Every International Women’s Day centers on a theme. This year theme is #EmbraceEquity. Similarly, you can create a theme based women care packages for your organization on the day. Incorporate this spirit of challenge into the day and host a contest for your employees to conceive the perfect gift basket or care package that celebrates all women’s achievements. Then, send the winning design out to all female employees.
3. Give back in honors of your Employees.
If you really wants to create an impact on International Women’s Day, there would be nothing more meaningful than the idea to make a difference in someone else’s life. On the day, do fundraising activity for women focused charities in honor of your employees. Make it personal for your female employee by sending out a custom ‘Thank-you‘ email containing the charity gifts and suggests some causes to consider. Look for local charities for which you can amplify their awareness.
4. Decor of the Workplace Supporting International Women’s Day
For the Day, decorate your office with women’s inspirational collars and build up the excitement for the big day by getting everyone involved in it. Add up balloons, banners, motivational and inspirational slogan supporting the theme “Embrace Equity”.
5. Share Special Gratitude for Women on the Day
Challenge your employees to learn about new, perhaps lesser known yet equally inspiring, women in your industry. Encourage all employee to co-create a demonstration of sharing special gratitude that admire women on the day. Leadership team welcome all the women on the entry, while entering to work. Manager’s share special gratitude at workplace welcome the women employee and present them something-Gifts, Chocolates, etc.
6. Host a Fun-Themed Event
Make the day more fun oriented for the Women employees, organize a Fun theme based event on the day. Amp up the celebratory part of the day with a fun group activity perfect for history buffs, such as a women’s history trivia night with a living history cocktail party where employees had to dress as their favorite female fashion designer. After some fun chats and drinks, host a fashion-riddled trivia night. Distribute gift card to the winner’s and give them bragging rights for the whole year.
7. Workshops on Women’s Health
Additionally, on the special day, Organizations organize a series of workshops on women’s health and wellness, including sessions on mental health, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. Furthermore, you can all these activities in a duration of week and name that week as “Women Health Week” either 1 to 7th march or 8 to 14 March.
8. Plan a Recognition Ceremony
Organization can initiate some extra curriculum activities, during the women health week. Quizzes on Women’s heath, painting, Crafting related to women’s health and wellness. On the International Women’s Day, i.e. 8th March, host a ceremony to recognize women who have done outstanding activities during the week or also add their contributions to the company or their communities.
9. Launch a Mentorship Program
Encourage female employees to participate in mentorship programs that help them develop their skills and build their careers. Give them opportunity to choose the mentor for them whom they want to learn from. Help them to match female employees with experienced mentors in your industry or company.
10. Organize a Trip to an Art Exhibition by Women Artist
This is a unique way to celebrate Women’s day at work. Organize an art exhibition featuring female artists, photographers, or sculptors in your office. Instead of, You could showcase works that celebrate women’s achievements or highlight women’s issues.
11. Virtual Networking Event
Plan a virtual networking event that connects female employees with each other, as well as with external industry leaders and mentors.
12. Hackathon
Host a hackathon focused on women’s issues or challenges. Encourage participants to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems faced by women. Welcome to challenging conversation at work in a specific time and way.
13. Skill-building Workshops
Offer skill-building workshops tailored specifically to women, such as negotiation skills, public speaking, communication, leadership or financial planning.
Final Note
Remember that Women’s Day celebrations should be inclusive and not just limited to women. Men in the workplace should also be encouraged to participate in and support the initiatives. Encourage the Involvement of each one at in the workplace.
- Emmanuel David Joins Altius as Chief Human Resource Officer - December 20, 2024
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