Happy International Women’s Day! This blog post is dedicated to all amazing women out there.
Here are some excellent ways you can celebrate International Women’s Day this year virtually:
- #ChooseToChallenge and share on social media
The UN and various studies reported that COVID-19 is disproportionally affecting women and girls. Through conducting more of unpaid work at home, increased reports of domestic abuse, and majority of health care workers and front liners are women (European Commission, 2021). This sucks. We are all witnesses to this, whether through our own lives, family members’, or friends’, and we need to do better.
This year’s IWD theme is #ChooseToChallenge. Post a photo on your social media and use the hashtag. The theme compels us to think critically how we can challenge pre-existing notions of what it means to be a woman. It is also a call to raise awareness on gender inequality and to celebrate women who are relentlessly fighting for a seat at the table.
- Support women-owned brands and businesses
Whichever city or country you are in, always support local brands and business ran by women.
- Book/Film exchange that promotes gender equality and women empowerment
Watch films with your friends (virtually and on your own couches, of course) or read books that tackles women’s struggles and empowerment. Here are some book recommendations:
- Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein
- A Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
- Donate
If you have spare income, donate to charities working tirelessly on gender, women and children’s rights. Another is by donating to fundraisers that aim to level the playing field for women.
- Send a toast to the incredible women in your life
We can’t physically toast unfortunately, but there are other ways! Write a postcard and send it by post to your friends and loved ones!.This is such a lost art but getting something unexpected in the mail is always heart-warming. If not, send them a message on whichever messaging app on your phone. It will surely be treasured.