Groups worldwide plan successful IWD activity

Thank you for supporting International Women's Day (IWD) and celebrating 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.

Running an IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion campaign

One of the most powerful ways groups can support International Women's Day is by championing their own #InsipreInclusion campaign within their communities, networks, organizations, and groups.

Each year an annual IWD campaign theme is celebrated and continues all year long to unify direction and galvanize activity by providing a meaningful framework to connect and amplify action.
 

Groups run IWD activity using these steps

1. Identify your goals

What do you want to achieve and what is your key message?

For example, some groups tend to focus on:

• celebrating women's achievements
• awareness raising
• influencing behavior
• smashing stereotypes
• challenging bias
• reinforcing commitment
• launching initiatives
• cause-related marketing
• brand elevation
• lobbying
• fundraising
   

2. Identify your audience

Who do you want to reach? The range of communities worldwide fully engaged with International Women's Day is truly extensive.

For example, you may seek to reach and engage:

• the general public
• specific communities
• employees
• candidates
• students
• customers
• industry
• friends and family
• government and constituents
• the media
   

3. Decide what you can do

What activity will you undertake?

For example, you may be considering:

• holding an event (digital or hybrid)
• launching a project or initiative
• delivering female-focused activity
• activating a marketing campaign
• developing resources
• conducting research
• running a social media campaign
• making a video
• speaking at a local school
• collaborating with the media

And remember you can always use the IWD conversation starter videos in workplaces to increase advocacy, or in schools to inspire students, or in public libraries to mobilize action; or at home to raise awareness. Plus, get ideas and inspiration from previous IWD examples.
 

4. Learn more about the IWD campaign theme

Imagine a gender equal world.& A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.& Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.
 

5. Search or publish IWD events

Participate in IWD events worldwide, including IWD Flagship Events, or host and promote your own IWD event.
 

6. Prepare an IWD speech

Access useful facts and ideas to help craft an engaging IWD speech.
 

7. Download IWD pledge cards

Use the #InspireInclusion pledge cards to engage colleagues and friends via social media amplification.
 

8. Download IWD social cards

Access the #InspireInclusion social media card templates to make your own IWD social media cards to share across social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more.

Remember to: 

• strike the #InspireInclusion pose to show solidarity and support for the IWD campaign
• post across social media using the hashtags #InspireInclusion and #IWD2024
• like, repost, comment on the #InspireInclusion posts of others

9. Access the IWD Lean In resources

Access the IWD Lean In tools and resources to host an International Women’s Day event for your organization and help challenge bias.
 

10. Download IWD 'coming soon' posters

Download the IWD 'coming soon' posters to let communities know that IWD is March 8.
 

11. Download IWD pledge posters

Download IWD posters and invite colleagues to collaborate through:

• writing their #InspireInclusion pledges on the posters (directly or via sticky notes)
• generating a list of tangible actions that can help #InspireInclusion
   

12. Secure an IWD speaker

Search the IWD Speaker Directory to secure an inspirational and engaging expert on a topic key to your agenda.
 

13. Develop or watch IWD videos

Watch the purposeful IWD videos as discussion starters, or broadcast them at IWD events to educate, motivate, challenge, and inspire audiences. Develop and submit your own #InspireInclusion videos for potential inclusion.
 

14. Submit an IWD executive statement

Chairpersons, CEOs, and C-Suite executive leaders of large organizations who actively support women's advancement and help build a more inclusive world are invited to submit an IWD Influencer Statement (2024 coming soon)
 

15. Fundraise for a women-focused charity

IWD continues its annual fundraising with 100% of the proceeds going directly to charity. IWD provides an important opportunity to fundraise and call for donations to support the ever-important work of gender equality focused charities, so find out more.
 

16. Download IWD education resources

If you're an educator, parent or caregiver check out the IWD for Schools section. If you're a librarian, access the Library Displays section.
 

17. Download IWD web meeting backgrounds

Download IWD web meeting backgrounds to inspire and engage your friends and colleagues to #InspireInclusion.
 

18. Make IWD 100% women-owned business supplied

Search the IWD Supplier Directory to source and support women-owned businesses from photographers and caterers to PR professionals, performers, and more. 
 

19. Help support the IWD missions

Learn about the IWD Missions and celebrate women's achievements, while working to change the game.
 

20. Submit your #InspireInclusion images

Submit images of your #InspireInclusion pose images for potential inclusion on the IWD website or promotion across IWD social media channels.
 

21: Contribute professional IWD resources and articles

Looking to develop and provide useful co-branded IWD resources to share publicly? Access more details regarding proposed IWD resources or content submissions to be considered for potential inclusion on the IWD website.
 

22. Request the IWD logo

Authorized groups and organizations worldwide use the IWD logo to align activity, show solidarity, and demonstrate commitment.

For example, they co-brand digitally for:

• social media
• activity and events
• leadership messaging
• awareness raising
• presentations
• email signatures
• digital resources
• public spaces
   

23. Participate in an IWD collaborative partnership

Across the world, a committed consortium of IWD collaborative partnerships work collectively to forge a more equal world for women. Join them!  
 

24: Submit your IWD activity and images

Get snapping with lots of great images and/or videos of your IWD activity, so you can share an engaging and informative case study post the big day. Be inspired by some of the IWD activity from previously.

Get snapping with lots of great images and/or videos of your IWD activity supporting the annual campaign theme, ready to send in post IWD to potentially be featured as part of IWD's round up coverage enjoyed by many. Also in the lead up, well ahead of IWD, send in your images and published videos for potential inclusion on the IWD website and social media feeds to help inspire and rally audiences worldwide. In the meantime, be inspired by some of the previous IWD activity.

About International Women's Day

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 build a more gender equal world. From small powerful grassroots gatherings to large-scale conference and events - International Women's Day is celebrated everywhere. It's a big day for inspiration and change.

Read more about IWD's herstory here.