Every year on March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day. But beyond the flowers and social media posts, gender inequality is still very real in everyday life. So, how can we make a difference? Read on for 10 ways to support gender equality.
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Well hello there, and Happy International Women's Day!
Lately, I’ve been thinking about something a friend shared with me. We were walking in the park when she mentioned, almost offhandedly, that her husband handles all their finances. She doesn’t know how much money they have, where it’s invested—none of it. None of it! And this is a smart, capable woman with an academic degree.
It got me wondering: how common is this? So, I started asking around—friends, relatives—and was floored by how many women said the same thing. They let their male partners take the reins when it comes to money. I mean, in Germany, women weren't even allowed to open their own bank accounts until the 1970s, so yes, progress has been made. But still. Still.
And then there’s leadership.
How many female leaders do you know? At work? Among your friends? And I’m not even talking about heads of state (we all know that a female president is about as rare as a four-leaf clover). I mean the women running businesses, leading teams, making things happen.
There’s still so much to talk about, so much to work toward. So today, let’s celebrate, but let’s also keep pushing. Let’s have the conversations. Because gender inequality IS. STILL. HERE.
Why International Women's Day Matters!
Today, March 8th, marks International Women's Day, a day to celebrate the incredible women in our lives and around the world.
We're talking about 3.8 BILLION women on this planet, and many of them have faced unequal treatment, sexism, and downright injustice simply because they are ... women. That is why today is more than just a celebration. It is a reminder. A reminder to acknowledge these realities, to support and uplift women, and to stand alongside the amazing allies who believe in equal rights for everyone.
I feel incredibly grateful to be a woman in this time and place, in a society that allows me to thrive. But let's not forget the amazing women (and men!) from history who paved the way for us, some even making unimaginable sacrifices (like Emily Davison, a British suffragette and a true trailblazer for women's rights who gave her life for the cause).
And while we have come a long way, we are not there yet. Even here in Germany, the official government website states (and I quote, translated by me):
Legal equality between women and men has been achieved. We are still working on actual, everyday equality.
And this isn’t just a Germany thing. In many countries, women are still fighting for even basic legal rights.
That’s why gender equality is one of the United Nations' top priorities, listed as Goal 5 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It’s also clear that the other 16 goals depend on the success of gender equality.
In other words: When women thrive, everyone thrives!
10 Things You Can Do
There are many ways we can support gender equality, today and beyond International Women's Day. Here are 10 ways to make a difference. You might already know some of them and may even be doing a lot already. If you have other ideas to add, I’d love to hear them in the comments!
1. Pay attention to everyday language.
Language is sooo important—it shapes how we see the world.
When it comes to gender equality, noticing the way you or others speak goes beyond just swapping “firefighter” for “fireman.” It’s also about noticing when girls are praised for being pretty and boys for being smart and brave. And it’s about calling out sexist jokes instead of laughing them off.
2. Support women-owned businesses.
If you know any women-owned businesses (brands, shops, restaurants) consider making a purchase if you can. It’s a great way to support women entrepreneurs and help their businesses thrive. Off the top of my head, I’m thinking of businesses like Deliciously Ella, SugarShape, and period underwear brands like THINX or ooia.
3. Lift up women at work.
There are so many ways to do this, here are a few examples:
- Amplify a female co-worker’s ideas in meetings.
- Advocate for equal pay.
- Push for more women in leadership roles.
4. Encourage kids to follow their interests.
Here are some examples:
- Encourage girls to explore science and boys creative fields.
- Let kids wear whatever colors and clothes they love (who said blue is for boys and pink for girls?).
- And when buying gifts, skip the outdated gender rules: no dolls for girls and trucks for boys. If in doubt, buy a gender-neutral gift such as a board game.
5. Challenge traditional gender roles at home.
If a dad takes his kid to the park, do we really need to praise him for “babysitting”? In fact, he’s just parenting.
Share household chores (think cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, grocery shopping) equally. And if you notice outdated dynamics in your circles, you might be in the mood to gently nudge the conversation in a more equitable direction.
6. Don't ignore sexual harassment and abuse.
This is heavy, and I think every victim has their own way of dealing with it. What I wish is that you know you’re not alone if something happens to you. I hope you have trusted people around you that you can turn to. Many organizations offer support, too, such as RAINN, MeToo, the WAVE Network, or the 24/7 helpline Gewalt gegen Frauen in Germany.
Also, if someone confides in you, please be open to listen to them, to believe them, and to support them as best as you can. You can also help them report it if they’re ready. Since these things thrive in silence, it's important to bring them into the light—this way, the chances for real change increase.
7. Donate to women-led charities.
There are so many incredible organizations making a real impact. Today’s a great day to highlight and support the ones led and run solely by women. I’ve rounded up five of my favorite women's charities!
8. Educate yourself about women and money.
As I mentioned earlier, money is huuuge when it comes to equality. Who owns it? Who makes financial decisions at home? If you’ve never wrapped your head around your finances before, start digging into the topic, it’s eye-opening.
I can recommend the book Women & Money by Suze Orman, and the blogs HerMoney and Madame Moneypenny (German).
9. Read a book by a female author.
You can pick any book by a female author from the genre you enjoy. This will already support women’s voices in literature.
My heartfelt recommendation is the author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Best known for her novel Americanah, I think you shouldn't miss out on her two non-fiction books Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions and We Should All Be Feminists. Another good read is Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates.
If you prefer a TED talk over a book, there are tons of good ones. Head over to the TED website and search for keywords like "feminism," "gender equality," and "women's rights.
10. Get active online.
All of us spend more time online than we care to admit. Let’s use that time to do good: You can actively (re)share articles, posts, and videos that promote gender equality. There's a whole site dedicated to International Women's Day with tons of information, including free resources and a toolkit that you can use to spread awareness.
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Writing this post, I’m realizing how much all of us can do—and how much we tend to accept outdated patterns and habits. Myself very much included. I didn’t start thinking about my finances until a couple of years ago (geez, how much would I have saved if I’d started in my twenties?), and I didn’t speak up for myself when a male colleague kept interrupting me in a meeting. And my pile of books on feminism is... growing… and untouched for ages. This is definitely my sign to pick one up and start reading.
But now, over to you! Are you doing anything special to celebrate women today? Or to push for gender equality? Share your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear them.
Wishing you a Happy International Women's Day and planty of opportunities to do good!
Ramona
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