For more than one hundred years, International Women’s Day has been celebrated on March 8th every year in recognition of the historic journey women have undertaken, out of necessity or by choice, to improve their lot in life.
It is a period set aside not only to celebrate and advocate women’s rights and equality but to regroup and reassess women’s achievements and other milestones yet to be reached.
In this piece, we won’t dwell on the challenges women face, especially the inequality they face whether socially or economically. Instead, attention will be given to women’s outstanding feats across the globe; as well as suggestions on how you can make this year’s International Women’s Day a blast.
Women shattering the glass-ceiling
It’s time to doff our imaginary hats for these amazing women who have demonstrated that being female is not a disadvantage and are equally inspiring the new generation of women, after all, the future is female.
In 2020 and 2021, nations with women leaders such as Bangladesh, Germany, and New Zealand received worldwide acclaim for their effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the United States, Kamala Harris broke a glass ceiling as the first female, Black, and South Asian American Vice President of the United States. What about Africa?
We have outstanding women such as our very own Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who was recently appointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Others include Mozambique’s Graça Machel, one of the most powerful and historic women in Africa, Nigeria’s leading social crusader, Ms. Aisha Yesufu, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mrs. Amina Mohammed and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a world-renowned novelist amongst other great women leaders.
While these examples are but a few of the incredible strides women are making in building a more inclusive and equitable society, we still have a long way to go. As said earlier, we won’t delve into that; it’s all sunshine and rainbows for our most deserving women today.
As expected, techbuild.africa, a platform that is wholly committed to promoting women, particularly in Africa’s tech industry, joins in celebrating International Women’s Day.
We share 4 tips that you, your team, and your community could act on to celebrate International Women’s Day this year.
Acknowledge the awesome women in your life
Most times, simple words of encouragement and love can go a long way in lifting someone’s spirit and inspiring them to keep going. Whether it’s your mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter, girlfriend, or female boss, you can write, call, and/or take them on a treat to let them know how awesome they are.
Celebrating women’s successes
Don’t adopt the mental attitude of “so what?” when you hear about women’s groundbreaking wins. Every accomplishment matters as women are about the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world. Hence, there’s a compelling need to celebrate them.
Donate to organizations that support women
Here are a few of the organizations that place a premium on women and girls’ welfare in Africa.
ASAFE
A French acronym for Association for Support to Women Entrepreneurs, ASAFE is a non-profit NGO that aims to promote and develop women entrepreneurship.
FORWARD
This initiative campaigns to tackle gender-based violence and in particular female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.
Make Every Woman Count (MEWC)
This African women-led organization works in mobilization, networking, advocacy, and training African women building their leadership capability, and works towards facilitating gender-focused policies.
Women Connect!
Women Connect! is a participatory development project working to strengthen the communication, technology, and skills of women’s rights organizations around the world.
WomenFirst
A non-profit organization, WomenFirst provides funding to women-owned startups and business management training at accessible locations across Uganda and Kenya.
Host a movie screening
During this period, women can seize a chance to let loose some steam by indulging in pleasurable pastimes such as movie watching, and not just any kind of movie, but those with strong, relatable female characters. Here’s a list of movies you could explore:
Hidden figures
With Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae cast in leading roles, this film reenacts the untold story of a trio of female NASA scientists who helped launch the first American astronaut into space.
Self Made
Featuring charismatic Octavia Spencer as Madam C.J Walker, the first self-made black female millionaire in America, this four-part Netflix series teaches lessons in groundbreaking entrepreneurship.
She Did That
Produced by Renae L. Bluitt an advocate for Black women’s accurate representation in the media, among other roles, “She Did That” explores the passionate pursuits of Black women and their entrepreneurship journeys.
Suffragette
Directed by Sarah Gavron, “Suffragette” tells the story of a woman whose life is forever altered when she’s recruited to join the UK’s suffragette movement in 1912. The movie gives eye-opening insights into one of the most significant social movements in history.
The Devil Wears Prada
Loosely based on Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel with the same name, “The Devil Wears Prada” features three-time Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt. The movie depicts the struggles and ultimate triumphs of women at their workplaces.
From being well-organized homemakers to running a campaign, launching an initiative, leading a startup, and a host of other things, women have proven their mettle in every domain across the globe. Certainly, they deserve to be commended on this International Women’s Day.
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to techbuild weekly digest for updates.
