Celebration
International Women’s Day, observed on March 8th, is a day for celebrating the many social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the world. Some of the ways in which women are celebrated on this day are by the giving of flowers, presents, and time off work. Learn more about the history of International Women’s Day and how it is celebrated here.
Reflection
While International Women’s Day is a day for celebration, it is also a day for reflecting on how, as a society, we can help promote equity for women and close the gender gap. In a 2021 Global Gender Gap Report compiled by the World Economic Forum, data shows that the average global parity, as measured by four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Education Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment), is at 68% and it is estimated that it will take about another 135 years to close the gender gap across the world. This may seem like an insurmountable Mount Everest; however, small strides can still be made at a regional, organizational, and even individual level.
Action
This year, the International Women’s Day theme is #BreakTheBias. One of the ways in which we can bring greater awareness to gender inequity is to understand how biases arise and how to create an inclusive environment, starting at home and in the workplace, in which women are supported and heard. Start your journey today as an ally for women by:
- Watching this video on 50 Ways to Fight Bias by Leanin.org.
- Building an inclusive organization and creating your own Lean In circles.
- Marking your calendar to watch the streaming of And She Could Be Next on Monday, March 8 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET to learn about how advocacy can help accelerate parity for women.
My-Phuong Nguyen, MPA, CMP | PCMA Capital Chapter Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
