Excitingly, 2021 marks 100 years since International Women’s Day (IWD) was first celebrated, although things weren’t made ‘official’ until 1975 when the UN designated it as a commemorative occasion. The day is marked on 8 March every year around the world and is a powerful spotlight on the women's rights movement. Among others, the aim of the day is to:
Identify, celebrate and increase visibility of women's achievements to help forge equality;
Foster strategic collaborations based on a foundation of shared purpose, trust and appreciation to impact positive change for women
Raise awareness worldwide via meaningful narratives, resources and activity to help combat gender bias and discrimination and accelerate gender parity
The theme of this year's IWD is #ChooseToChallenge - a call to action to challenge gender bias and inequality; to seek out and celebrate women's achievements; and collectively create an inclusive world. As the mission states: ‘From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.’
Being an all-female agency, we here at INSYNC are proud to be a supporter of IWD and one of it’s recognised suppliers. In honour of the day, we can help you, your friends and/or colleagues choose YOUR challenge and find ways to empower you to do what you can to make a positive difference for women.
Whether it’s a personal, professional, community-based or even a political challenge, we’re here to create powerful and compelling shared experiences which encourage participation and facilitate collaboration. We believe in fostering a space where discussions and connection can flourish and true impact can be made.
When you want to effect change, resources are needed in addition to an understanding of women’s issues and how things like mental and physical health can be impacted by inequality. So, are you ready for an immersive, engaging experience that will be fun, thought-provoking and practical?
Of course you are and we’re your women : )
Here are a few suggestions as to how to you can celebrate International Women’s Day with a bang, along with inspirational speaker and book ideas.
Organisational Culture & Transformation
Did you know that as of the August 2020 Fortune Global list, only 13 women (2.6%) were CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies? No? Why not organise a team virtual quiz which is both fun and educational in equal measure. With questions that focus on the issues facing women both in the workplace and in the wider world of work, the winning team can be rewarded with a budget and resources to set up an inter-organisational network for women to help empower them, inform them of their rights and strive for equality within their careers.
Self-development
Imposter Syndrome and confidence wobbles befall the best of us, but the majority of the time it’s women who struggle. Well, no more! Try a workshop with inspirational coach, author of Fears to Fierce and Women For Women International’s executive director Brita Fernandez Schmidt, on how to challenge self-limiting beliefs, foster a ‘growth mindset’ that encourages continuous learning and development and ensure positive thoughts and gratitude become a part of your daily routine. You can also join her over on her Instagram for a stories series of inspirational women running across the week.
Take a look around you at the wonderful women you know and love; think they’re all superheroes? So do we. And we’re extra sure that they know something you don’t and vice versa. Dare yourself to learn something new in an exciting skills-sharing session with one person teaching a group or learn-in-pairs in virtual breakout rooms - you’ll leave the workshop feeling cool, competent and ready to take on new challenges. Check out motivational speaker Emma Gannon and her books Crtl, Alt, Delete, The Multi-hyphen Method, Sabotage and Olive for inspiration.
Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health is having a moment and we don’t want it to stop because it really, truly matters and is at the heart of everything whether we realise it or not. We can offer a combo workshop with veritable experts over a morning or afternoon. The first part will focus on discussing mental health in a wider context and make moves to remove the stigma surrounding those issues that aren't ‘mainstream’. Participants will also be told how to offer support to friends/family and colleagues and how to access resources and help. The second part of the session will be led by one of our specialist wellness coaches who will take you through a guided meditation before sharing her tips on recognising the signs of poor mental health, coping mechanisms including proven breathing techniques and demonstrate how to make self-care a regular ritual.
Community & Legal Activism
As many a leader once said: ‘Be the change you want to see in the world ’. Activist, law-changer and author Gina Martin shares her experience of engaging people on the issue of up skirting and lobbying the government to change the law to protect women in her book Be The Change, We can all use our voice(s) to raise awareness of issues affecting women and utilise social media and petitions for change.
Make like the suffragettes with ‘deeds not words’ and book one of our webinars on how to get involved with local community initiatives that effect change including a toolkit to teach you how to connect with like-minded people, create a committee and fundraise.
Diversity, Inclusivity & Allyship
For LGBTQ+ womxn and womxn of colour, some challenges are even greater. One of the most progressive voices of our time and brilliant spokesperson, activist and author of the forthcoming ‘Transitional’, Munroe Bergdorf can inspire us to amplify marginalised voices and challenge structures that uphold racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism.
By curating a summit of workshops and activities or spotlight events based on these topics, you can ensure that energy is focused on and nurtured in the right way such that it can be utilised to challenge the status quo, switch up the narrative and push gender parity forward.
Be bold. Be the change. And have yourself an empowering International Women’s Day.
Get in touch for a bespoke proposal of content and speaker ideas tailored to your audience and budget.
