Every day is a great day to celebrate women.

But on March 8, the world makes it official with International Women’s Day (IWD). Are you and your organization ready for the festivities? 

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (March 8, 2024) is #InspireInclusion

As you plan out your event, remember that inclusion is key in all aspects of life, from the workplace to sports to politics. Embracing gender equity means giving women what they need to be successful in all facets of their lives. 

To craft International Women’s Day event ideas in line with this theme, we’ve provided 16 pro tips and ideas to celebrate in meaningful ways. We hope these will motivate you to organize your own unique functions — on International Women’s Day and beyond.

International Women’s Day event ideas to celebrate on March 8

Discussion and speaker ideas for International Women’s Day

Activity ideas for International Women’s Day

Theme and topic ideas for International Women’s Day

Statistics on women in the workplace

International Women’s Day background and key statistics

Since 1911, International Women’s Day has celebrated the achievements and strength of women worldwide. Since then, society has taken many important steps towards giving women the rights and respect they deserve. But unfortunately, we are still very far from true gender equality.

One obvious and measurable metric of inequality is in the workplace:

  • In 2022, median earnings for women were 83% of those for men (up from 62% in 1979, the first year reliable wage earning data is available). 
  • Women in leadership are also not adequately represented — recent data shows that only 14% of US startups have a female CEO.  

Companies and organizations are taking steps to improve conditions for women in the workplace, for instance, by signing the Equal Pay Pledge. Gender equality benefits organizations, too — data shows that diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time, and inclusive teams are 35% more productive

While much progress has been made, we still have lots of work to do. These International Women’s Day event ideas can help you plan a memorable and meaningful way to inspire inclusion.

International Women’s Day event ideas to celebrate on March 8

Celebrate International Women’s Day this year by planning an event that inspires and promotes change. Here are 16 great IWD event ideas and activities to get you started.

List of event ideas for international women’s day

Discussion and speaker ideas for International Women’s Day

These ideas can prompt insightful conversations and insights at your next event.

1. Host a panel where experts and thought leaders discuss bias

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If you’re planning a corporate event, have panelists discuss an important topic like gender equity in the workplace. Now more than ever, organizations need to have frank conversations about how bias impacts their employees.

Make sure to have a panel moderator on site to make the most of your event. You’ll want to have two–four (or more) experts or thought leaders for your panel. Then, you’ll want to choose a central theme, like a hot topic that’s affecting women right now, to discuss. Another option is to have a roundtable discussion, which could involve more community participation.

2. Host a Q&A with a group of change-making women

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Bring together a group of successful and innovative women to discuss embracing equity in all aspects of women’s lives. Organize a Q&A session for employees or event attendees to engage with the speakers.

Start with a topic of discussion (or several!). It could be centered on a specific challenge women face or a particular activist theme, like the fight for equal pay. 

Make sure to choose expert speakers for your session. Activists, professional speakers, and powerful women from all walks of life could be a great fit.

Doing it well ✨ Bossed Up, LLC, a Denver-based women’s leadership development organization, focused on empowering women to advance in their careers. Their celebration of Colorado women features discussions on gender equity led by leaders in the state.

3. Open the floor for feedback, stories, and transparency 

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Creating a safe space for women to share their experiences can be powerful and cathartic. For event organizers, an open mic format event can encourage community engagement

For workplaces, this could also be an opportunity to collect valuable feedback from women in the organization. By providing an anonymous way for employees to share their experiences as women in their organization, you can empower them to speak their minds — and also collect valuable data to inspire change. 

4. Organize an author reading with women writers

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A lack of gender equity also exists in the publishing world. The OECD International Survey of Scientific Authors indicates that women authors are underrepresented in scientific articles and underpaid, earning 5% to 6% less than their male counterparts. The same is true for novels and books written by women authors, which are, on average, 45% cheaper to purchase than those penned by men.

This International Women’s Day, bring women writers together to celebrate their achievements. You could also host this as an online Women’s Day event, connecting with a well-known author to host a live stream.

Whether in-person or live streamed, hosting a reading allows your audience to hear great women writers read their latest work. Consider setting up a Q&A with the author or pose questions regarding issues in publishing, such as bias, racism, and representation.

Activity ideas for International Women’s Day

These ideas can get attendees involved with fun, engaging, and meaningful activities at your next event.

Women enjoying a brunch at a table
La Cocina / Women in Food / Emeryville, CA

5. Host a fun brunch to celebrate women

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Another fun International Women’s Day event idea is to host a brunch. This could be simply a fun get-together to help attendees relax and celebrate women or it could be more on-theme and purposeful for IWD. 

For instance, the event could double as a fundraiser for a women-focused nonprofit. Or it could be used as a platform for women speakers to share insights with attendees. 

Doing it well ✨ AHF Media hosted a catered brunch celebrating the hard-working women of South Florida. The event featured a “lunch and learn” theme where guest speakers shared their experiences and knowledge with attendees. The hosts also had a structure in place for attendees to nominate women for recognition at the event.

6. Celebrate women with a self-care event

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Honor the women in your life by planning a women’s social event for them to rest and relax. Reach out to spas with group event packages and local yoga and meditation practitioners. Or send your loved ones to a relaxing retreat!

Remember that self-care looks different to everyone. Make sure to provide plenty of different options for guests to unwind. Having both solo and group options is a good place to start. 

People volunteering at a food kitchen
St. Anthony’s / Make an Impact: Serve Meals at St. Anthony’s / San Francisco, CA

7. Give back to your community

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Interested in raising funds for women’s rights through your event? There are many great organizations to support: use a tool like GiveWell or Charity Navigator to explore. 

To give back with a more hands-on approach, research local women’s shelters and volunteer your time or find out what donations they need the most.

Consider hosting a donation drive alongside your event. Women’s shelters often look for essentials like feminine products, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner. Monetary donations (or a percentage of ticket sales) can go a long way, too. Organizations can also offer to match employee donations to increase the impact.

Doing it well ✨ Mt Naomi Farms in Hyde Park, Utah, plans to host an International Women’s Day brunch and fundraiser. Guests will enjoy a professionally prepared brunch and fun cocktails in a beautiful setting. $40 of each ticket’s cost will be donated to CAPSA, a domestic abuse survivors nonprofit. 

8. Plan a workshop to incite change

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According to the UN Refugee Agency, grassroots organizations are important for innovation. Inspire your attendees to participate in local efforts and organizations that support women.

Workshops at events centered around a theme can be a powerful way to celebrate International Women’s Day. It could be a workshop to help attendees take action in their own lives, spark political change, or influence their communities. Try to incorporate as many interactive activities as possible into your event. 

9. Host a fun run, yoga gathering, or other fun fitness event

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Get people moving this International Women’s Day with an active event. 

A 5k race is a common distance to allow people the option to run, jog, or walk. But alternatives like a yoga gathering or even a community dance event can also be a lot of fun!

To tie the theme to IWD, consider donating a portion of ticket sales to a women’s charity. You may also be able to get a sponsor for your event to cover event costs, which can help increase the impact of your charitable efforts. 

Doing it well ✨ Fort Buchanan MWR hosted a community 5k run/walk in honor of International Women’s Day. The event was designed to celebrate and recognize women’s achievements in the community. And to keep a fun, family-oriented environment, the event organizers made tickets free for children.

Children playing with globes at an event
Ryan Muir / City of Science / Bronx, New York

10. Get the children involved

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For family-friendly or school-age-appropriate events, keep kids interested with activities for their age group. When you’re marketing family-friendly events, it’s the parents who you focus on. But once the kids are at the event, they’re the ones you’ll need to wow.

Keep things interactive with a topical game such as Bingo designed around influential women in science or literature or read books that promote women’s strength and independence to young children. 

Give kids the opportunity to talk about what they know about International Women’s Day and the ways they may have experienced gender bias.

Organize a workshop with Eventbrite

Two people painting at a Wine and Watercolors event

11. Put together a showcase or concert featuring works by women

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Spotlight creative women’s artistic achievements with a concert or art show. Consider different ideas for social events that entertain and highlight women artists. 

Why not curate the art you’re showcasing according to a theme that fits your event’s mission or International Women’s Day goals?

Even better, weave in information about how women artists have been marginalized due to bias so attendees understand the importance of uplifting women’s voices.

Theme and topic ideas for International Women’s Day

These event themes and discussion topic ideas can help you focus your event plan on the elements most important to women — and your audience. 

Women at a panel on stage speaking
Voxburner / Youth Marketing Strategy / San Francisco, CA

12. Highlight intersectionality

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Many challenges that women face share some overlap with other important global issues, like systemic racism and climate change. Intersectionality explores how someone’s layers of identity affect their experience. By exploring it, you can highlight how women’s issues are connected to the other social challenges of today. 

Explore the intersectionality of women’s empowerment with the fight to increase diversity, drive sustainability, and effect change in our political or corporate systems.

Doing it well ✨Vina Best used the CURLYTREATS festival 2023 to allow attendees to experience a day immersed in Black culture, celebration, creativity, and community. The festival provided a variety of activities, such as 50+ Black-owned businesses, conference talks about afro-hair care, Black maternal well-being check-ins, and more.

13. Share creative and inspiring media from female creators 

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Women are underrepresented in most forms of media. One 20-year study found that women comprise only 24% of the people we read about, see, or hear from on the television and radio and in the newspapers. Female creators are also underrepresented — and underpaid, in many cases. 

This International Women’s Day event idea might help turn the tide. Consider putting together an event or workshop that features women creators (ideally telling women-focused tales!) Here are some ideas to get you started.

Film/TV:

  • I Am Greta 
  • Period. End of Sentence.
  • He Named Me Malala 

Books: 

  • Women & Power by Mary Beard 
  • Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
  • Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics by Bell Hooks

Podcasts: 

To incorporate these media into a themed event, you could host an interactive “book club”-style get-together. Participants could discuss the media or even watch/listen to it together. 

Person speaking on stage
Ladies Get Paid / Get Money Get Paid / Brooklyn, New York

14. Highlight women in your industry

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Featuring successful women in your industry can inspire a number of International Women’s Day event ideas at work or elsewhere. 

Use this opportunity to get inspired by women who laid the groundwork in your industry. Plan a corporate International Women’s Day event where attendees dive into women’s contributions to the field. 

You can host a presentation highlighting the achievements of women in your industry (or your organization). Or, host a discussion on the topic, and invite people to nominate attendees for recognition of their own achievements. 

Incorporate International Women’s Day history to educate attendees about the day. Keep it close to home by inviting women in your company to share their experiences and serve as role models.

Doing it well ✨Blackhearts & Sparrows, a specialty wine and beer store, knows that women are central to the brewing industry. That’s why it hosted a Future Brewer event to launch a West Coast-style IPA made by the brand Coconspirators. 

The beer, called “The Brewer,” featured a female brewer on the front of the can in a nod to women’s contributions to the field. According to Blackhearts & Sparrows’ Senior Beer Buyer Cherry Noble, “a portion of the proceeds will go toward a scholarship program through Pink Boots, which helps women receive formal beer training and education.”

15. Provide time to appreciate the women in your life 

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An event where attendees can collectively celebrate and appreciate women can be very powerful. Consider a group activity with the goal of helping attendees carve out the time to do something kind for the women in their lives. 

Maybe you set aside time for attendees to write thank-you notes, or to call loved ones. Or you can get everyone involved with a craft or baking project to make something special to celebrate the women who’ve influenced them the most. 

16. Partner with and support women-owned small businesses

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Celebrate female entrepreneurship this International Women’s Day. 

This is a great opportunity to organize a career or business fair to help your women connect with women-led businesses to create job or partnership opportunities. 

Don’t let it stop at IWD. When you hire vendors for your next event, make it a priority to support women-owned businesses. You can make it an initiative to seek out long-term partnerships with women-owned local companies. 

Doing it well ✨Last year, the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County hosted its International Women’s Business Summit & Job Fair. Mayor Anne Huffman — the first Black woman to be elected mayor in Haines City — sponsored the event. The event featured women-owned businesses, plus tools to help women find fulfilling careers. 

Plan an exciting and meaningful event for International Women’s Day

Celebrating International Women’s Day isn’t about giving empty accolades to women. It’s about raising awareness around important issues and celebrating the women who make our world great. These International Women’s Day event ideas can help you put together a truly impactful and engaging event this year.

To plan and host the best event possible, make sure you have the right tools in your arsenal. Eventbrite is the leading event platform where organizers plan, post, and market successful events all over the world.