AS the world gears up to celebrate International Women’s Day today, March 8th, the campaign theme for 2024 resonates with a powerful message: “Inspire Inclusion.” This clarion call urges individuals, organizations, and communities worldwide to actively foster an environment where women are valued, represented, and empowered to thrive.
The origins of International Women’s Day can be traced back to March 1911, when the first celebration took place, igniting a global movement for women’s equality and rights. Over a century later, this annual observance continues to serve as a catalyst for collective activism and celebration, transcending borders and uniting those committed to forging a more equitable future for women and girls.
The 2024 campaign theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” strikes at the heart of the ongoing struggle for gender parity. It acknowledges that true progress cannot be achieved without actively promoting and embracing the diverse experiences, perspectives, and contributions of women from all walks of life.
As Gloria Steinem, the renowned feminist, journalist, and activist, once eloquently stated, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
The “Inspire Inclusion” theme calls upon individuals, organizations, and communities to take action in various spheres, from the workplace and educational institutions to governance and leadership roles. It challenges us to ask the tough questions: “If women are not present, why not?” and to confront instances of discrimination and inequitable treatment head-on.
Inspiring inclusion means embracing the diversity of race, age, ability, faith, body image, and identity that women bring to the table. It means actively seeking out and amplifying their voices, ensuring their needs, interests, and aspirations are valued and represented across all fields of endeavor.
Organizations and groups are encouraged to participate in the campaign by taking tangible steps towards women’s economic empowerment, recruiting and retaining diverse talent, supporting women in leadership and decision-making roles, designing infrastructure that meets the needs of women and girls, promoting their creative and artistic talents, and addressing areas that advance their progress.
Individuals, too, play a crucial role in inspiring inclusion by understanding, valuing, and seeking out the perspectives of women and girls in their communities, workplaces, and personal lives. Sharing this knowledge, support, and encouragement with others is key to fostering a more inclusive world.
The International Women’s Day 2024 campaign invites everyone to strike the #InspireInclusion pose, a symbolic gesture of solidarity that celebrates the value of difference and the importance of inclusion coming from the heart. By sharing these images across social media platforms using the hashtags #IWD2024 and #InspireInclusion, individuals can inspire others to join the movement and help forge a more inclusive future for women and girls everywhere.
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2024, let us all answer the call to #InspireInclusion. By collectively elevating the voices, experiences, and contributions of women in all their diversity, we can forge a better, more equitable world for generations to come.
Read more at www.internationalwomensday.com.
Send in your #InspireInclusion images to potentially be featured in the IWD Gallery, www.internationalwomensday.com.
Collectively, let’s #InspireInclusion for women and girls everywhere. Submit yours at www.internationalwomensday.com.
