International Women’s Day occurs every year on March 8th and is a great opportunity to organize meaningful virtual events. Celebrate the women in your community by planning International Women’s Day online events that reach a broad audience.
We’ve come up with 25 International Women’s Day virtual activities to help inspire your next event.
Why is International Women’s Day observed?
International Women’s Day was created to celebrate women’s achievements and help further gender equality efforts via fundraising, lobbying, and raising awareness.
How do you celebrate International Women’s Day virtually?
With a laptop or smartphone, you already have the necessary equipment to start planning a virtual event. Virtual events let you connect with both your local and extended community by reaching a much wider audience than traditional, in-person events. By planning online events for International Women’s Day, you can connect with women worldwide and celebrate different cultures and backgrounds.
International Women’s Day online event ideas
Make your online International Women’s Day events stand out by committing to a theme or overall message. We’ve explored some interesting topics and event ideas to get you started.
Women in business conference
A women in business conference is an ideal corporate gathering, which could aim to support women politically, economically, and socially. Center the event around women speakers sharing their success stories and growth. SEKWIM – University Malaysia Sabah hosts an International Women Empowerment conference that focuses on educating the community about the importance of women’s rights.
Celebrate women in the armed forces
Use your International Women’s Day event to teach attendees about the roles of women in the armed forces today and in the past, like the International Women’s Air & Space Museum did. Consider inviting women actively serving in and retired from various military branches to speak about their experiences. For a shorter event or presentation, focus on womens’ efforts during a particular military conflict or effort in the course of history.
All-female concert
Organize a performance that showcases musical artists, performers, or comedians who are all women. If you’re organizing a concert, choose performers whose genres and styles are similar, or branch out and bring artists from various genres and cultures together. A virtual concert allows you to work with artists who may not be able to travel to your local area for the event.
Online fundraising campaign launch
Looking to raise funds for a nonprofit organization or cause that supports women? Launching an International Women’s Day campaign may raise greater awareness and inspire more people to attend or donate. The Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund held an International Women’s Day event in 2021 to raise funds in support of 1000 women leaders “working to build a brighter, more peaceful, and resilient future.”
Fashion show
A charity fashion show like the ones held by the She Is Foundation Network, Inc. can promote female designers and help raise money for a meaningful cause. Along with giving a portion of ticket sales to your chosen nonprofit organization, ask the designers to donate some of the profits from any clothing sales.
Future summit
The fight for women’s equality in the workplace isn’t just about adult women; it’s about supporting girls and young women as they grow. A future summit can inspire them to pursue their dreams and make a difference in their communities.
Award ceremony for inspiring women
Instead of an awards ceremony that only celebrates a few select people, organize an event that uplifts the women in your organization or community. Select accolades focusing on how women support, encourage, and inspire one another. Remember to make the event inclusive.
Story swap
Bring an audience together to encourage people to speak about their experiences as women in business, art, or in general. Encourage interaction and discussion, and allow speakers and listeners to have their say in a respectful space.
Self-care sessions
Give women a way to pamper themselves — organize an online webinar or workshop about self-care-related topics such as mindfulness.
Gender equality in climate change talks
According to the UN, Women experience the greatest impacts of climate change, and many are trying to learn more about what they can do to make a difference. An International Women’s Day event centered around climate change and gender equality could include expert speakers, open discussions, and opportunities to learn about small and large changes individuals can make.
International Women’s Day business online events
Planning a corporate or business-centric International Women’s Day event may require focusing on different themes. Check out the following ideas for inspiration.
Worldwide female leader webinar
Webinars have long been a preferred medium for corporate events. Host an International Women’s Day webinar to bring together female leaders globally for talks and speeches about succeeding in the corporate world.
Working moms talks and workshops
Many women feel pressured to juggle their careers and care for their children. Consider organizing an event where women are encouraged to discuss the societal and familial pressures they’re dealing with.
Speed networking
It can be challenging to get the job you want without industry contacts. Host a networking event that connects job-seeking women with those already working in a particular industry. A speed-dating-style setup ensures job seekers talk to as many people as possible.
Pro tip: set up breakout rooms to encourage people to chat with each other like Women With Passion events do.
Mentorship program
Many people work virtually and remotely, making it difficult to find mentorship or feel like you can progress in your career. A one-day or multi-day mentorship program could offer inspiring talks and pair groups with a mentor to foster camaraderie, community, and professional growth.
Entrepreneur workshops
Interactive workshops can teach women how to connect with and lead their own business ventures. The We-Can Project at Queen’s University has hosted workshops where successful businesswomen discuss leadership skills and tap into the strengths they already have.
International Women’s Day STEM online event ideas
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — academic and career areas traditionally dominated by men. Encouraging women to pursue their passions in STEM is an integral part of reaching gender equality. This section covers event ideas that will help to promote female representation in STEM.
Women in technology discussions
Speakers and attendees can discuss the difficulties faced by women in the tech industry and celebrate achievements at an International Women’s Day tech event.
Women in science conference
Women have made many important scientific and technological discoveries. Organize a conference to highlight the achievements of women in these areas, like the Science and Technology Facilities Council did. Conference speakers could provide interesting insights into industry topics and discuss their experiences as women in the industry.
Virtual hackathon
Software developers work together to create software that solves a particular problem while attending the event. Hold an International Women’s Day hackathon like TH.0’s Hackherthon, which lets women up their programming skills and connect with other women in the field.
Cultural International Women’s Day virtual event ideas
Focus on the contributions women have made to culture and art. Celebrate them with some of our virtual International Women’s Day event ideas in this section.
Virtual arts festival
Showcase art created by women with an online festival. Include workshops and talks from staff, artists, and makers. This event works well for nonprofit organizations, such as galleries, museums, and arts groups.
Virtual women in film festival
Celebrate new short or long films from female filmmakers at a festival on or around International Women’s Day.
Themed book club
Organize a book club for women — the books read and discussed can be by women authors. How about choosing books that grapple with themes of gender equality or women’s empowerment?
Female artist lectures
Introduce audiences to the work of female artists by having the artists give lectures that focus on their work, inspiration, and the challenges of being a female artist. London Drawing Group has previously hosted lectures where artists discussed topics such as being both a mother and an artist.
Film screenings
Find films that tackle important issues or topics related to gender equality and women’s rights and organize public showings. These screenings could challenge gender bias by celebrating women in film, including directors, actors, screenwriters, and stuntpeople.
International poetry reading
Unite female poets from around the world who are interested in reading their work on a livestream. Tailor your event around a theme or aim for something inclusive that brings women together from different backgrounds.
Online art exhibition
Promote new or seasoned female artists at an online exhibition. This event can show the work and allow attendees to discuss it. Why not involve the artists themselves? Invite them to speak about their work, like the The Research Forum has done.
Plan an event that celebrates women
Once you have ideas for International Women’s Day online events, find a platform to host your virtual event. Eventbrite is the trusted choice for virtual events worldwide.
Promote new or seasoned female artists at an online exhibition. This event can show the work and allow attendees to discuss it. Why not involve the artists themselves? Invite them to speak about their work, like the The Research Forum has done.
