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.

A successful Women’s Day program should balance celebration, empowerment, and actionable advocacy. Adapting these standard elements and activities to suit your office, school, or community is the best way to do so.

Learn why women's day events 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.

It’s also a great day to support women, raise awareness about the complications and issues like domestic abuse. Our webinar by Dr. Denise Ziya Berte explores what IPV is, how it presents in Muslim communities and how Islam holds the answer to the elimination and prevention of family based violence in our communities against women and children.

So, as we celebrate the achievements of women during women empowerment day and other recognition initiatives, 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 to Participate in Women's Day Activities and a Women's Day Program

Here are some meaningful ways to celebrate IWD and participate in a women's day program, along 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 part of the solution. Our fight for social justice is rooted in our Islamic beliefs, which emphasize fairness and justice.

Document Women’s 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 and women's empowerment day, join us in helping bridge this gap. Start small by showing appreciation to the women who play a vital role in your life. Share their stories so people can recognize 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 more than 50 years of serving our faith, profession, and community, we have consistently highlighted 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 there. We also offer scholarships, grants, mentorship programs, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities to help eligible candidates 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 women entrepreneurs. Doing so creates jobs, promotes 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 friends and family on social media. This helps expand their reach and promote their businesses.

Initiatives associated with national women's empowerment day and similar awareness campaigns often encourage consumers to actively support women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

Participate in Our Women's Day Program Through International Women's Day Events

Celebrate women’s achievements and join initiatives designed to inspire, educate, and empower. From community programs to mentorship opportunities, our women's day program and international women's day events provide meaningful ways to make a difference and honor the contributions of women everywhere.

Whether you are looking for a women's day programme focused on education, leadership, community service, or professional development, participating in these events can help create lasting positive change.

How IMANA Supports a More Equitable World for Women

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

As an organization focused on health and guided by 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a women's day program?

A women's day program is a collection of activities, events, and initiatives designed to celebrate women's achievements, promote equality, and encourage community engagement during International Women's Day.

Why is International Women's Day important?

International Women's Day recognizes the achievements of women while raising awareness about ongoing social, economic, cultural, and political challenges affecting women worldwide.

How can I support women during International Women's Day?

You can advocate for gender equality, share stories of inspiring women, support women-owned businesses, volunteer in community programs, or participate in a women's day programme.

Why is supporting women in STEM important?

Women remain underrepresented in STEM fields. Encouraging participation through mentorship, scholarships, and educational opportunities helps create a more diverse and innovative workforce.

How can social media help promote women's empowerment?

Social media can amplify women's stories, achievements, and businesses, helping increase visibility and inspire others to support women's empowerment day initiatives.

What role does IMANA play in supporting women?

IMANA supports women through leadership opportunities, scholarships, mentorship programs, Continuing Medical Education (CME), medical relief missions, and community initiatives.