This Week, Argos is celebrating International Women’s Week! While we always try to recognize all the hard work and dedication of each and every one of our employees, this week is about highlighting our female employees’ achievement and success. We would like to congratulate all our female employees for all the hard work and countless hours they contribute to help our company succeed!

What Is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.

Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:

• celebrate women’s achievements
• raise awareness about women’s equality
• lobby for accelerated gender parity
• fundraise for female-focused charities

How Can I Celebrate:

1. #ChooseToChallenge and show your support on social 

This year’s official International Women’s Day theme (2021) is #ChooseToChallenge. It’s a call-to-action to challenge the status quo by raising awareness against bias, celebrating women’s achievement, and taking action for equality.

One simple yet impactful way to celebrate International Women’s Day this year is to show your commitment to challenging inequality by taking part in the #ChooseToChallenge social media campaign. Take a photo of yourself raising your hand high and share it on your preferred social media platform(s) using #ChooseToChallenge and #IWD2021.

You can even use these awesome templates to create custom co-branded social media cards to get your whole team involved. 

2. Involve men and people who identify beyond the gender binary in the conversation and celebration

Often, most International Women’s Day celebrations and initiatives are targeted at women. However, people of all gender identities must be involved in the conversations and become equal advocates for gender parity.

According to a Harvard Business Review article, when men are deliberately engaged in gender inclusion programs, 96% of organizations see progress — compared to only 30% of organizations where men are not engaged.

When you’re planning your International Women’s Day activities, ensure you invite and encourage your male friends or teammates to participate and champion gender equality together. And make sure your gender-diverse and non-binary friends and teammates are included and welcomed into the conversation about how we can promote equality for people of all gender identities. 

3. Host or attend an online panel 

Hearing women share their experiences, knowledge, and advice is one of the best ways to get inspired to make a change. This year, as most of the world is gathering online instead of in-person, there are tons of great virtual events planned for International Women’s Day. 

As you’re planning your celebrations, research some exciting events in our industry or community and encourage your friends, family, or team to register with you. Here’s a list of a few events to get you started:

• AHRI’s International Women’s Day Virtual Event: Explore how creating a truth-telling workplace culture – where everyone is safe to speak up and speak out – can help eliminate sexual harassment. [Free] 
• She-EO’s Virtual 2021 Summit: Hear from cutting-edge thinkers, innovators, and women working on the world’s To-Do List’ on what’s next for the economy, education, food security, housing, and more. [Free] 

Women in Tech’s Tech(Know) Day: This online conference will showcase women in tech (cis, trans, non-binary) and their craft, as well as career, personal development, business, and strategic insight. [Free]

4. Set up a (virtual) coffee date with a woman in your network

Sometimes, the best way to get inspired or learn something new is through a simple conversation. 

This March, try asking a woman in your network on a “virtual coffee date” (15-30 minutes of their time) to discuss their career, experiences overcoming workplace bias, leadership, self-care, or any other topics of personal interest. Here are a few questions you can ask to kick off the conversation:

• What unique challenges have you faced in your career as a woman? How did you overcome them?
• Which mentors or role models have positively impacted you in your career, and what’s one lesson that they taught you?
• How have you managed to balance your career and personal life?
• What advice would you give to your “X”-year old self?
• I’d love to connect with other women like you in this industry – do you know of anyone else who might be willing to chat with me?

5. Start a book club with your colleagues or friends 

Understanding some of the challenges women face worldwide is an essential step in advocating for gender equality. This year, to celebrate International Women’s Day, consider starting a book club with your team or folks in your community that focuses on educating on women’s issues, empowerment, and achievements. 

Here are a few fantastic choices to get you started: 

• Educated, by Tara Westover
• I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brené Brown
• No Logo, by Naomi Klein
• We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• The Black Unicorn: Poems, by Audre Lorde
• Untamed, by Glennon Doyle 

6. Support women-owned businesses

Supporting businesses that are owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or woman helps contribute to equal economic empowerment, representative products and services, and a more prosperous economy overall. 

“Vote with your dollar” this International Women’s Day by deliberately seeking out and supporting local women-owned businesses. Share your challenge with your friends and encourage them to do the same!

7. Host a film screening

Representation in the film has a huge impact on how audiences learn about gender norms, the issues we focus on, and how we perceive the world. This year, grab your friends or team and view the world from a woman’s perspective. Here are a few films by women directors or featuring a women-centric cast to add to your list: 

• 13th – Directed by Ava DuVernay, this powerful documentary takes a critical look at America’s prison system, linking it to slavery and deeply embedded racism.
• Hooligan Sparrow – Directed by Nanfu Wang. A gripping documentary, this film follows human rights activist Ye Haiyan as she seeks justice for six abused girls in China.

• Suffragette – Directed by Sarah Gavron. A woman’s life is forever changed when she’s recruited to join the UK’s suffragette movement in 1912. An eye-opening look at one of the most critical social movements in history.
• Hidden Figures – Featuring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae in leading roles, this film brings to life the untold story of a trio of female NASA scientists who helped launch the first American astronaut into space.
• Trapped – Directed by Sian Melton, this documentary examines the TRAP laws in the US, making it extremely difficult for abortion clinics to operate in individual states. A powerful look at reproductive rights and the impact these laws have on women.

8. Donate to charity 

If you’re looking for a way to make a difference in a worthy cause this March, consider donating to a charitable organization supporting women – either locally or globally. 

Here are a few organizations doing incredible work to fight for gender equality and women’s rights:

• Women for Women International invests in women survivors of war and conflict, connecting them with each other, resources, and support to realize their power.
• AnitaB.Org envisions a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies they create it. AnitaB.Org works to advance women in technology in the United States and across the world. 
• Dress for Success is a global not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

9. Acknowledge the awesome women in your life

Sometimes, simple words of encouragement and love can go a long way in lifting someone up and inspiring them to keep going. Whether it’s your mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, girlfriend, or friend – send a text, call, or Facetime an important woman in your life to let them know how awesome they are.