Since 1911, International Women’s Day has celebrated the achievements and strength of women worldwide. International Women’s Day events are a great way to bring colleagues and organisations together to honour women of the past, present, and future and learn more about the issues women face today. The 2023 theme for International Women’s Day, #EmbraceEquity, encourages event organisers to think about event ideas that call out gender bias and inequality. Though we’ve made some progress towards gender equality in the workplace in Australia, the Australian Government’s 2022 Workplace Gender Equality Scorecard shows that there’s still a significant gender pay gap and too few women in decision-making roles. Holding your own women’s empowerment event is a simple but effective way to bring about awareness, action, and ultimately, change. Non-profits celebrate International Women’s Day Before deciding on your own event to celebrate women this year, get inspired by innovative International Women’s Day event ideas from local creators. Bowens’ Women in Trade Event With almost 130 years of experience supplying hardware to the construction industry in Victoria, Bowens is a fourth-generation family-owned Australian business that is committed to encouraging the next generation of women to get involved in traditionally male-dominated professions. As part of International Women’s Day, they run an annual Women in Trade event to champion women working in the industry. Bowens’ 2022 event featured a panel of successful women from the construction sector who shared their lived experiences to educate others about the challenges facing women in a male-dominated industry. Bowens wants to encourage Australian women considering a career in trade to join the growing industry: “Spotlighting females who have already had significant success and growth within the industry helps other women make an educated decision on picking up the tools for themselves,” says Bowens’ Chrystal Dias. “The more representation of females in the industry, the more we break the bias for women in trade.” For the first time last year, Bowens unveiled the Margaret Hickey Award to celebrate women working in construction. The award is named after the first-ever woman employed with Bowens in 1913, a pioneer who kickstarted female representation in the business. Ultimately, Dias hopes Bowens’ Women in Trade event will promote inclusivity in the construction industry more broadly: “Bowens hopes attendees leave the event feeling inspired and supported, whether that be as a female considering a career in trade or as a worker already in the industry who is motivated to ensure their worksites remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all workers.” How you can raise awareness and celebrate women Find inspiration for how to celebrate with your organisation or community with these ten creative International Women’s Day celebration ideas that will help to raise awareness against bias and encourage action for equality. 1. Host a Q&A with a group of change-making women International Women’s Day 2023 events are a great opportunity to bring people together, either in person or in virtual safe spaces, to have frank conversations about equal conditions and representation for women in all industries. In 2023, event creators WORK180 are holding an International Women’s Day Summit with the theme “Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future”. 2. Plan a workshop to incite change Bringing together a group of successful and innovative women for a female-led Q&A is a great way to showcase talent in various industries to celebrate International Women’s Day. Follow our tips for finding great speakers to make sure your attendees are excited and engaged. 3. Host a panel where experts and thought leaders discuss bias Business SA is the largest membership-based employer organisation in South Australia and in 2023, they’re celebrating International Women’s Day with a stylish event at the Adelaide Oval. Their lavish luncheon will involve an impressive line-up of influential businesswomen discussing their careers and the unique set of challenges they have faced to get where they are today. 4. Highlight intersectionality Women’s issues overlap with other important global issues, like systemic racism and climate change. By focusing on intersectionality – how someone’s different layers of identity affect their experience – you can highlight how women’s issues are connected to the fight to increase diversity, drive sustainability, and affect change in our political or corporate systems. Check out diversity and inclusion strategist Randi Bryant speaking at our RECONVENE Summit to learn more about inclusivity for the event sector. 5. Organise an author reading with women writers Hosting a reading, whether in-person or live-streamed, allows your audience to hear great Australian women writers read their latest work. In addition to the reading, you could set up an author Q&A with the audience or pose prepared questions regarding important issues in publishing and the world, such as gender bias and representation. 6. Give back to your community Interested in raising funds for women’s rights through your event? There are many great organisations to support that focus on the growth and development of young girls or actively work on issues that impact women. To give back with a more hands-on approach, contact local women’s shelters and volunteer your time or find out what donations they need the most. You might consider hosting a donation drive alongside your event. LeadershipHQ is a renowned leadership consulting company that hosts the Outstanding Leadership Awards and Courage Conference as well as workshops and webinars. For International Women’s Day 2023, they are holding an 80s-themed Fundraising Event for Women’s Legal Services. With networking being the main aim, there will be plenty of food, fun, prizes, and 80s music. The auctions on the night will raise funds for Women’s Legal Services QLD to help raise awareness about domestic violence and to provide legal services to women and children in times of need. 7. Highlight women in your industry Get inspired by women who’ve laid the groundwork in your industry. You could plan a corporate International Women’s Day event, such as a lunch-and-learn where attendees dive into women’s contributions to the field. Incorporate International Women’s Day history to educate attendees about the day. Keep it close to home by inviting women in your community or company with executive positions to share their experiences and serve as role models. The peak body for the dairy sector in Tasmania, DairyTas, is holding its first International Women’s Day event this year, with a day of guest speakers, panel discussions, and networking featuring Women Working in Dairy. 8. Put together a showcase or concert featuring works by women Celebrate creative women by showcasing their artistic achievements in a concert or art show. Consider different ideas for entertaining women’s social events that highlight women artists. You can even curate the art you’re showcasing according to a theme that fits with your events or International Women’s Day goals. The Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah, northern New South Wales, runs special tours for International Women’s Day. This year, gallery visitors will be treated to a guided tour by Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM. Visitors will learn about the exhibit, The Female Gaze, which features self-portraits and portraits of women by women artists drawn from the Tweed Regional Gallery collection, spanning historical to contemporary portraits. Artists include Natasha Bieniek, Joanna Braithwaite, Lucy Culliton, Julie Fragar, Petrina Hicks, Margaret Olley, Jude Rae, Jenny Sages, and Anne Zahalka. 9. Celebrate women with a self-care event For a relaxing event, plan a day with the goal of shared rest for attendees. Reach out to spas with discounted group event packages, or local yoga and meditation practitioners. Fitness and meditation sessions can also be streamed online, helping women claim some quality health and wellbeing time for themselves. 10. Get children involved in a fun workshop For family-friendly or school-appropriate events, try International Women’s Day activity ideas specifically for their age group. We have a handy guide for marketing events to today’s parents – but once the kids are at the event, they’re the ones you’ll need to wow. Keep things interactive with IWD-themed games like “Buzzword Bingo” featuring influential Australian women, or read books that promote girl power to young children. Plan an exciting and meaningful event Celebrating International Women’s Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate the women who make our world great. Ready to plan your own International Women’s Day Event? Sign up for Eventbrite today.