Are you ready for International Women’s Day? 

If you’re not up to speed on the awesomeness that is International Women’s Day (IWD) allow me to share you in! 

IWD is a globally recognised day that celebrates the achievements of women—social, political, cultural, economic—and encourages everyone to accelerate equality for women.

IWD is a globally recognised day that celebrates the achievements of women—social, political, cultural, economic—and encourages everyone to accelerate equality for women.

Every year, IWD is celebrated in a slightly different way with a theme for that year’s events. 

Choose to Challenge

This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge. It stems from the idea that a challenged world is an engaged world, and that this year we need to challenge ourselves to call out gender bias and inequality. 

A challenged world is an engaged world, and that this year we need to challenge ourselves to call out gender bias and inequality. #IWD2021 #InternationalWomensDay #ChooseToChallenge Click To Tweet

This past year has been difficult for everyone in a lot of ways, and female entrepreneurs have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. One study conducted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation found that of the female entrepreneurs surveyed, 49% had to temporarily close their businesses during Covid, while 3% had to permanently shut down. 

At Fempire, we ourselves have seen how hard women have been hit by the pandemic, and believe that this just highlights the need for better support systems and stronger commitment towards gender equality.  

That is why it’s important to not just celebrate International Women’s Day today, but every day. 

Because while we may officially celebrate on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day is more than just a day, it’s a reminder that we need to keep working hard towards equality. 

So how can you get involved in celebrating IWD this year? 

Celebrate International Women’s Day

Women-owned businesses aren’t the only ones who can celebrate IWD; in fact, we encourage all types of businesses to get on board with gender equality in the marketplace. After all, feminism is for men, too.

No matter how you choose to observe IWD, no matter what type of campaign you choose to run…first make sure what you choose will have the maximum benefit for the IWD movement, for your target market and for your business.

Name your Goal

What do you wish to accomplish for your business? Do you need more brand recognition? More leads? A better reputation? Better representation in the global market? No matter what goal you wish to attain, make sure you establish that before you decide on your IWD celebration.

Name your Target Audience

Whom do you want to reach with your #IWD2021 message? Your entire target market? Or a segment that needs your message the most right now?

Make a Working List of Possibilities

Now that you’re doing some thinking about #IWD2021, you might be starting to get some ideas for events and campaigns you can sponsor. Write those down and keep them close by. Go with your intuition. Even if it doesn’t make sense right now, something inside you is telling you it has merit.

Get Creative

Your business is unique; unlike any other. And so, the celebration you plan for IWD should be just as unique. That doesn’t mean you have to come up with it all on your own, though. Fempire would like to offer a few ideas you can use to kickstart your creativity.

Tell your Story

As a woman in business, you have a story: how you got there, how you learned about your passion, how you want to help others. And everyone loves a good story. Tell that story, publish it on your website, and tie it to IWD. Be sure to keep your target market in mind as you tell your story, so they can see commonalities, as well as how you’re distinctly qualified to help them.

Ask for their Stories

How many women in your audience have made great strides in the name of equality? How many have challenged stereotypes or done things they were told they couldn’t do? Invite them to tell their stories (and stories of women they know) to get your tribe excited about what women are accomplishing.

Run a Contest

Who doesn’t like to win something? And be recognised for it? Sponsor an essay contest, a product-naming contest, a photo contest—anything that unites your ideal customer with your business—and then marry it all to this year’s IWD theme, #ChooseToChallenge.

Make a Special Offer

Slash a price for one day only, and they will come. Use this special occasion to make a special offer on your most popular product (or on a newly introduced product) and require customers to use a code related to IWD to claim that discount.

Host a Party

In-person experiences are memorable, and when you design a party or other fun event that is unique, your business will be remembered. Host it on IWD, with IWD Event Packs, and you’ll make connections with those people who are also concerned with equality.

Run a Social Media Campaign

There are two hashtags associated with International Women’s Day this year, and they are #IWD2021 and #ChooseToChallenge. Use them to raise awareness and invite conversation on your social media channels. 

You can also participate in International Women’s Day’s challenge by striking the Choose to Challenge pose and posting it on your social media as a commitment to help in the fight against gender inequality. And if you want your photo to be featured by International Women’s Day, you can submit it to their website.

All you have to do is pose like this 👇

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A post shared by Fempire | Business Coach (@fempireinternational)

IWD is an important day that can – and should – be celebrated by all; no matter gender, country, industry, or group. As Gloria Steinem said, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” 

So make sure that you go out and celebrate International Women’s Day this year – we know we will! 

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And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube and Twitter to join in on our IWD celebrations! 

How are you planning to celebrate International Women’s Day? Let us know in the comments!