Women’s Day Activities That Celebrate and Empower Women

Though March 8 has been established as International Women’s Day (IWD), society often extends the celebrations to cover the entire month of March. Every third month of the year, we celebrate the achievements of women without social, linguistic, economic, cultural, and political biases. It’s also a chance to advocate for gender equality. 

Learn why women’s day activities are important to IMANA and what we can do as a society to empower and celebrate women. From awareness to action, we’ll illustrate how we can make a real difference together, starting with a little history of IWD.

When Did International Women’s Day Begin?

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion.”

But that’s not all this movement is about. The UN may have started celebrating this movement in 1975, but it found its roots decades before—with the first gathering held in 1911. Records show that women started drawing attention to their challenges as early as March 1857, with an organized strike against inhumane working conditions and low wages.

So, as we celebrate the achievements of women, let’s familiarize ourselves with the struggles they faced and continue to face in their daily lives. This will help us respond in more relevant and compassionate ways. 

How We Can Participate in Women’s Day Activities

Here are some fantastic ways to celebrate IWD, with insights on how IMANA contributes to this important cause:

Advocate for Gender Equality 

Despite decades of progress, society remains rampant with inequalities. Consider these startling facts:

• Women occupy only 33% of leadership positions globally.
• Nearly 60% of chronically hungry people are women and girls.
• Across the globe, approximately 1 in 5 girls is married during childhood.
• On average, women in the health and care sector earn 24% less than men.

It’s important to shed light on the hardships faced by women. Change starts with education, so supporting gender equality through education can help lay the groundwork for a more peaceful, equitable, and economically prosperous world. 

At IMANA, we believe in being a part of the solution. Our fight for social justice is rooted in our Islamic beliefs which emphasize fairness and justice.

Document Stories and Achievements 

How can we facilitate the work that women do in the community?

For too long, the contributions of women have been overlooked or misattributed. This International Women’s Day, join us in bridging this gap. Start small, by showing appreciation to the women who play a vital role in your life. Share their stories so people can see their potential, abilities, and accomplishments.

We don’t have to look very far to find inspiring women who have had profound effects on the lives of many. In Islam alone, you’ll find notable women who are forever immortalized in text:

• Aisha bint Abu Bakr was involved in the spread of Islam. 
• Khadija bint Khuwaylid, was a wealthy noblewoman, known for breaking stereotypes and employing men to work for her in a male-dominated society.
• Sumayyah bint Khayyat openly and courageously defied the Quraysh, a tribe that forced her to renounce Islam and stop the Prophet’s vision. She became the first martyr of Islam. 

You can also use social media to share stories about powerful women who didn’t shy away from breaking glass ceilings.

Empower Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Visionaries like Marie Curie helped pave the way for women scientists through her groundbreaking work with radioactivity. Despite the boldness and intelligence of women like her, they only comprise 34% of the STEM workforce. 

It’s time to change that.

During our over 50 years of serving our faith, profession, and community, we put a spotlight on women’s achievements. In 2021, Dr. Marium Husain and Dr. Anam Tariq became the first female president and vice president of IMANA.

Of course, our support for women in STEM doesn’t end here. We also offer scholarships, grants, mentorship programs, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) to create opportunities for eligible candidates so they can succeed. 

Give Back To the Community 

IMANA welcomes and appreciates support from the community. You can donate money (tax-deductible) to support women while professionals with relevant experience can volunteer in one of our many medical relief programs.

Support Women-Owned Businesses

Did you know that men are twice as likely to raise $100,000 in capital than women? Unfortunately, women often find themselves at a disadvantage which is why it’s important to support and empower the journey of women entrepreneurs. Doing so creates jobs, helps promote diversity and inclusion, and positively impacts our economic and social fabric.

To create an even bigger impact, you can share your purchases from female-owned enterprises with your friends and family on social media. This will help expand their reach and promote their businesses. 

Create a More Equitable World for Women With IMANA

Respect and upholding women’s rights are important tenets of Islam and IMANA. We believe that if women are given equitable opportunities to strive and excel, they will succeed and make important contributions to society. 

As an organization that focuses on health and values Islamic principles, IMANA  understands that women have an important role to play in creating a more compassionate and healthier world. We have women doctors who take on vital roles in our leadership team, medical relief missions, CME activities, and other initiatives. 

For these reasons and more, we support International Women’s Day and sponsor programs that position women to be catalysts for transformative change.