International Women's Day is an important holiday. It recognizes women's rights and achievements. Among the things celebrated are the acts that protect women from discrimination in the workplace. Companies can show that they support this through events and initiatives. But how to do that exactly? If you are looking for ideas, you've come to the right place. Here are 15 ideas to celebrate International Women's Day at work.
Why Do We Celebrate International Women's Day on March 8?
Why is International Women's Day celebrated on March 8 and not on other dates? Where was it first celebrated? To answer these questions, let's discuss its history.
The History of International Women's Day
Let's look at a brief timeline of the key events that happened that lead to this:
- 1909 - The United States observed its first National Woman’s Day on February 28. This was in accordance with the declaration by the Socialist Party of America.
- 1910 - It was suggested that every country should celebrate a Woman's Day on the same day.
- 1911 - Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland celebrated Woman's Day on March 19. Millions of men and women rallied to campaign for women's rights and to end discrimination.
- 1917 - Russian women went on a strike for "Bread and Peace," and it lasted for four days. The strike made the Czar abdicate. Women were also given the right to vote due to this strike. The strike ended on February 23 in the Julian calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, which most of the world uses, that day was March 8. That day was declared as the International Women's Day.
- 1975 - The United Nations marked the International Women's Day for the first time.
Who Started International Women's Day?
The concept of International Women's Day was Clara Zetk's brainchild. She was the leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany. She brought up the idea during the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910. The attendees liked the suggestion, and the International Women's Day that we have been celebrating every year was its result.
The Benefits of Celebrating International Women's Day at Work
Here are the benefits of celebrating International Women's Day at work:
- It shows employees that your business cares about them. That helps create a positive working environment.
- With everyone in on the celebration, it creates a sense of unity.
- It empowers female employees and makes them feel appreciated and valued.
- When workers know that the company cares about them, it increases their loyalty. Effectively, it can also increase productivity and efficiency.
7 Ideas To Celebrate International Women's Day at Work
Looking for ways to celebrate International Women's Day at work? Here are some ideas. These will help empower your female employees or colleagues.
1. Wear International Women's Day Colors
International Women's Day has three official colors: purple, white, and green. Purple stands for justice and dignity, as well as being loyal to the cause. Green stands for hope, while white stands for purity. Require or encourage employees to wear clothes of these colors to show support for women's rights.
2. Give Gifts
Companies can give corporate gifts to female employees. It could be simple custom mugs with motivational quotes for women or something fancier.
Companies could also give additional gifts to pregnant employees or breastfeeding employees. Brands like Momcozy offer International Women's Day sales, so you don't have to worry about the costs much. But what should you buy? Consider the Momcozy Belly Band. It provides support for a pregnant woman's growing belly, so it wouldn't cause much pain and discomfort.
A pregnancy pillow is also a great choice. Momcozy's pregnancy pillow features a unique design that offers full body support, regardless of how she chooses to sleep. With that and its soft texture, this pillow offers extreme comfort.
3. Decorate the Workplace
Decorate the workplace to ensure everyone feels the spirit of the holiday. Choose decorations in the colors of International Women's Day. We recommend using purple ribbons, as it is a clear way of showing support. You can also use decorations that have feminist themes.
4. Play Trivia Games
Suppose you have some idle time. Why not use that to play a trivia game? It allows you to teach employees about the importance and history of International Women's Day in a fun, interactive way.
Tell your employees to form teams. These teams will be competing against each other. Ask questions related to International Women's Day and feminism. Prepare prizes for the winning team and the losing teams so that everyone still gets something even if they do not win.
5. Bring Some Food
What is a celebration without food? Bring delicious food to share with the employees. A shared meal allows everyone to connect. It will make them feel more united, which can improve their teamwork.
Since it is International Women's Day, consider buying the foods from businesses owned by women. It helps show that you really care.
6. Highlight Achievements
Highlighting the achievements of female employees is a great way to celebrate. Dedicate a virtual or physical space in the office to commend outstanding female employees. List their roles and achievements and how valuable they are to the company. This will empower them and inspire other employees to do better.
7. Donate to Charity
Donating to a charitable organization that supports women's causes is also a great way to celebrate International Women's Day. It is an action that really has a lasting impact. However, simply announcing that you donated to charity may not make your employees feel as involved.
So, consider hosting a fundraiser or organizing a donation drive instead. It allows employees to contribute directly to a meaningful cause.
8. Create a Photo Booth
A photo booth can easily bring festive cheer into the office. Design it using themes and colors related to International Women's Month. Employees can take fun and cute photos in the booth to join in the celebration.
There are several great things about this idea. One, even male employees can take pictures in the photo booth to show their support. Two, it would not disrupt business operations. Employees can take pictures during their breaks. Last, the photos, which they can upload to their social media profiles can serve as promotional material for your company.
9. Invite a Guest Speaker
You can invite an experienced activist as a guest speaker to inspire female employees. The guest can share their struggles and achievements, which can inspire your employees. They will also learn valuable lessons that they can apply in their day-to-day lives. That said, you can help change their lives with this simple action.
10. Create Thank You Videos
Posting outstanding female employees on a board is a great idea. However, that may make others who weren't on the board feel like they are underperforming. To avoid that, the management team can create Thank You videos. Each video is specially made for one employee to acknowledge their contributions to the company. This personalization will make everyone feel appreciated and treasured.
12. Have a Women's Day Party
Do you think bringing food and sharing a meal is too simple of a celebration? If so, then host a full-blown Women's Day Party instead. Bring in food to share with your employees and prepare parlor games for them to participate in. Don't forget about music! Create a playlist of songs about women empowerment or by female artists and have them on full blast while you are partying.
12. Create a Social Media Campaign
Women exist everywhere - not just in your company. So, how can you show people outside your organization that you support women? You can do so through a social media campaign. Encourage employees to write what International Women's Day means to them. Then, post those on your company's social media profiles. That way, you can show women all over the world that you are an ally.
13. Offer Special Perks to Female Employees
You can give women special treatment on International Women's Day. If possible, try to give them flexible working hours on March 8. If you can't do that, something simpler - like additional minutes for their breaks - will do.
14. Sponsor a Course or Certification
Sponsoring a course or certification is another action that will create a significant impact on the lives of your employees. It will help with their professional growth by giving them access to new skills, industry knowledge, and career advancement opportunities. Also, it will be good for the company's growth. Expansions in your employee's skill sets will improve their performance.
15. Support Parental and Caregiving Conversations
It is also a good idea to remind your female employees about their rights in the workplace. Have a discussion about maternal leaves and other types of leaves. Also, ask them about their struggles regarding work-life balance. This will allow you to find arrangements that will work both for you and your employees.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to celebrate International Women's Day at work. You can bring food, give gifts, or donate to charitable organizations. Giving commendations to the women within the organization will also bring empowerment.
Why should businesses join in the celebration? Because women gaining rights is a monumental moment in human history. If that did not happen, you may never have found some of your most outstanding employees. So, it is only right that you recognize the importance of this global holiday.
