International Women’s Day 2014 is taking place next Sunday 8th March and we are looking forward to a host of inspiring discussions and events that are taking places across the globe, in celebration of women.
The Guardian’s Women in Leadership hub launched a live gallery last week to share tips and advice on how to #BeYourselfAtWork. They ask women to upload a photo or to tweet the one piece of advice you would share with your younger self, sister, friend or daughter. The gallery is still going and possesses an ongoing stream of inspiring messages and advice from one woman to another.
‘Equality for women is progress for all’ marks the theme of the United Nation’s commemoration for International Women’s Day this year. The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March during International Women’s Year 1975. The United Nations states that the celebration is ‘a time to reflect on progress made to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.’ The UN will be hosting an event for the public to celebrate the IWD, with a range of talks and activities at the UN headquarters in New York.
With all the current news regarding female executives in finance, it is not surprising that major corporations across the UK are also getting involved in #IWD2014. Deloitte continue to mark the path towards gender equality, through hosting a webcast on 5th March 2014 discussing the role of men in the changing positions for women in finance. Whilst some may see this discussion as missing the point of a day to celebrate the rise of women in the workplace, Deloitte seems to be addressing the major issue that is holding women back: the attitude of their (male) colleagues. The 6th annual webcast will take place across Deloitte’s social media networks on 5th March 2014.
PwC are also marking International Women’s Day 2014 with the theme: Gender, generation, and leadership: supporting the millennial woman craft her career. In association with Dr Elisabeth Kelan, author of ‘Rising Stars: Developing Millennial Women as Leaders’, PwC have created an array of resources online that present this year’s topic.
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 1 will be presented by an all-female DJ line-up on 8th March to mark the occasion.
Charities Aid Foundation of America suggests Ten Empowering Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day, which include:
- Watch: Girl Rising, a documentary highlighting the global campaign for girls’ education. The film highlights the story of nine girls from Sierra Leone, Haiti, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Peru, Egypt, Nepal, India, and Cambodia.
- Listen: The Girl Effect organization spoke to hundreds of girls living in poverty across the world to help them shape the Girl Declaration. Hear the girls’ stories on education, health, safety, economic security, and citizenship.
- Cook: Check out Women for Women International’s cookbook, Share, where 100% of the profits will go to Women for Women International to help women of war-torn countries rebuild their lives. The recipes are those of the women in the war-town countries, renowned international chefs, and humanitarians.
- Tell: Be brave and tell those special women in your life how much they mean to you! Watch this Dove commercial for some inspiration and encouragement!
- Inspire Change: Take the International Women’s Day theme, Inspire Change, to heart! Be the change you wish to see in the world.
There will be events taking place in nearly event city across the globe. You can take a look at the International Women’s Day 2014 website here to find events local to you!
How will you be celebrating #IWD2014? Do you think this year will inspire change for gender equality? Share your thoughts with us below or join the discussion on Twitter: @Dutyfy #DutyfyDiscussions