Countries all over the globe are getting ready to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Falling on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) also observes a call to action to smash stereotypes and raises awareness to fast-track gender equality efforts. The day that was first honoured in 1911 inspires support for organisations that help women globally too.
What is the theme for 2020?
Each year organisers choose a new global campaign theme to guide, unify and galvanise everyone’s efforts. This year's theme is #EachforEqual. “An equal world is an enabled world,” according to the organisers of the United Nations-sanctioned global holiday. They highlight the fact that each of us is responsible for our own daily thoughts and actions. And as we are all parts of a whole, our individual movements, discussions, behaviours and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society. Basically, the IWD 2020 campaign theme is all about 'Collective Individualism’.
Collectively, we can make change happen and help to create gender parity by actively disrupting stereotypes, combating bias, widening perceptions, improving situations and celebrating women's achievements. "Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world," the organisers say. And this kind of world is very important for economies and communities to thrive and make our lives more healthy, wealthy and harmonious.
While IWD is being feted this Sunday, the campaign runs all year long, with #EachforEqual activity reinforced and amplified throughout the following months to encourage action.
UN Women also issued a 2020 theme: I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights. The theme is associated with the organisation’s new multi-generational campaign called Generation Equality. The drive marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Embraced in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, the Beijing Platform for Action is seen as the most liberal roadmap to empower women and girls all over the globe.
How can you get involved in International Women’s Day?
For starters, you can check out all the activities going on around your area, including exhibitions, festivals, fun runs, corporate and speaking events and concert performances. At least one of the events held by women's networks, corporations, charities, educational institutions, government bodies and many more is bound to draw you in.
Another way to show you're getting involved this year is by sharing the hashtags #IWD2020, #SeeHer, #InternationalWomensDay and the thematic #EachforEqual on social media platforms. If you use #WomensDay on Twitter, the female-gender-sign emoji is automatically populated. Add an inspiring message and a photo of you striking the #EachforEqual pose. Additionally, you can get a motivating group photo with friends or family, with arms out front at right angles to the body, elbows bent and palms down.
