What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is a global celebration that honors the achievements of women and advocates for greater gender equality. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to achieve gender parity in society with historical and national traditions.
Every March 8th, this day highlights the importance of women’s rights and empowerment. Various events and initiatives take place worldwide to raise awareness about gender equality.
International Women’s Day also commemorates the historical struggles of women, including their roles during wars and fights for fundamental human rights. It symbolizes unity in advocating for equal rights for all genders.
Why is International Women’s Day important?
International Women’s Day holds immense significance globally for several reasons. It celebrates the remarkable achievements of women across various fields, including technology, politics, and business. This day serves as a platform to acknowledge and honor the contributions of women worldwide, as gender equality remains a significant goal.
Moreover, International Women’s Day is crucial in raising awareness about gender inequality. It highlights the pressing need to achieve gender parity in all aspects of society. By shedding light on existing disparities, this day encourages individuals and communities to work towards creating a more equitable world for everyone.
This occasion commemorates the struggles and sacrifices made by women throughout history. From advocating for fundamental rights to challenging societal norms, women have played pivotal roles in shaping our present reality. Their perseverance and resilience have paved the way for future generations to enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Furthermore, International Women’s Day serves as a unifying force that brings people from different parts of the world together. It fosters solidarity among individuals who support women’s rights and strive towards promoting equality for all. This collective effort transcends borders and cultures, emphasizing the universal importance of empowering women in every society.
What’s the theme for International Women’s Day 2024?
Source: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
International Women’s Day has evolved with various themes, focusing on gender parity and women’s empowerment. The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is #InspireInclusion.
The UN theme for International Women’s Day is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” This year’s theme addresses pressing issues women face globally and emphasizes the importance of taking action to achieve gender equality.
Per the United Nations (UN), this year’s theme is essential because:
Achieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet. However, we are facing a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender equality measures by 2030.
The theme for 2024 reflects current challenges and opportunities for women worldwide, especially concerning technology, rights, and support systems. Global organizations call for gender equality measures, such as implementing gender-responsive financing.
It underscores the significance of uniting women and girls globally to celebrate their achievements.
How does International Women’s Day affect Women-Owned Businesses?
Women-owned businesses benefit from the increased awareness and support on International Women’s Day. This heightened visibility leads to more opportunities for growth and success, and the recognition garnered during this time can significantly impact the trajectory of these businesses.
Gender Equality Promotion
International Women’s Day is crucial in highlighting the importance of gender equality in the business world. By emphasizing this aspect, it encourages more women to pursue entrepreneurship and leadership roles. This emphasis fosters an environment where women feel empowered to take charge of their careers.
Ongoing Efforts for Gender Parity
The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to achieve gender parity in businesses globally. It pushes for equal rights and opportunities for all women, advocating for a level playing field within various industries. These efforts aim to address existing disparities and create a more inclusive workspace.
Recognition Through Initiatives
Women-owned businesses receive recognition and visibility through events, campaigns, and initiatives on International Women’s Day. These platforms allow them to showcase their products or services, attracting new customers and investors. Such exposure is instrumental in fostering a supportive environment conducive to their development.
How should Women Entrepreneurs Celebrate Women’s Day?
Women entrepreneurs can take various actions to celebrate International Women’s Day, foster inclusivity, and network with other women business owners.
Virtual Events
Organize a virtual event on International Women’s Day to celebrate women’s achievements in business and technology. Highlight the significance of gender equality and empowerment in these fields. Engage participants through interactive sessions and discussions.
Collaborate with other women-owned businesses to create a dynamic online experience that showcases diverse success stories. This collaboration fosters a sense of community and amplifies the voices of women entrepreneurs globally.
Promotions and Discounts
Partner with fellow women entrepreneurs to offer special promotions or discounts on your products or services during this significant day. By supporting each other’s ventures, you contribute to building a more inclusive and supportive ecosystem for women in business.
Hosting joint promotions attracts more customers and spreads awareness about the importance of empowering women economically. It sends a powerful message about solidarity and collective efforts towards gender parity.
Panel Discussions and Webinars
Host engaging panel discussions or webinars featuring accomplished female entrepreneurs sharing their journeys, challenges, and successes in the business world. These sessions provide aspiring women entrepreneurs with valuable insights, inspiration, and practical advice.
Bringing together successful women leaders from various industries creates an enriching platform for knowledge-sharing and mentorship opportunities. Such events inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams with confidence.
Social Media Advocacy
Leverage social media platforms to advocate for gender equality in entrepreneurship by raising awareness about existing disparities. Encourage everyone to actively support women-owned businesses by promoting their products/services online.
You can spark conversations around breaking stereotypes and creating equal opportunities for all genders in the business landscape through impactful storytelling, engaging visuals, and compelling messages. Your advocacy can inspire positive change within communities worldwide. Remember to use the hashtag #InspireInclusion for the 2024 theme when posting on social media.
Who are some examples of Women Entrepreneurs driving inclusion & equality?
Many women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and advocates help drive inclusion and equality. Here are a few examples of these efforts in various sectors.
Empowering Through Technology: Women entrepreneurs like Melinda Gates and Reshma Saujani utilize technology to empower girls and women globally. They create platforms and initiatives providing educational opportunities, mentorship, and resources for women to thrive in business.
Advocating for Gender Equality: Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, is a prime example of a woman entrepreneur advocating for gender equality. Through her success in the fashion industry, she has used her platform to support other women in their entrepreneurial endeavors, breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity.
Leading by Example: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, exemplifies leadership in driving inclusion and equality within businesses. Her strategic decisions focused on diversity and empowerment within the company, setting a precedent for other organizations to follow suit.
Supporting Rights Worldwide: Women-led organizations like HeForShe, founded by UN Women, work tirelessly to support gender parity and rights for women across different countries. Through campaigns, advocacy efforts, and partnerships with governments, they strive to create a more equitable society for all individuals.
Inspiring Others to Take Action: Entrepreneurs like Oprah Winfrey use their influence to break barriers and inspire others toward greater inclusivity. By sharing their stories of resilience and success, they motivate individuals from all backgrounds to pursue their dreams despite any challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions about International Women’s Day and women entrepreneurs.
What resources are available for Women-Owned Businesses?
Despite the challenges, women-owned businesses have several benefits and resources to help with growth and sustained operations. Here are a few of the available resources you should consider.
Networking Opportunities
Organizations like WEConnect International offer networking opportunities and resources to empower women-owned businesses worldwide. Through these platforms, women entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and access valuable support networks.
Certification and Training
Platforms such as the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) provide certification, training programs, and ongoing support tailored to women entrepreneurs. By leveraging these resources, women can enhance their skills, credibility, and visibility in the business world.
Government Initiatives
Government initiatives in various countries aim to support women in business through grants, loans, and mentorship programs. These initiatives are specifically designed to address the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face and promote gender equality in the business landscape.
Technology Tools
Embracing technology tools and apps can significantly benefit women-owned enterprises by streamlining operations and boosting productivity. From project management software to e-commerce platforms, leveraging technology enables women entrepreneurs to compete effectively in today’s digital economy.
Grants
Women business owners can apply for various grants that provide funding and additional resources. You may be interested in one of the following grant programs:
- Grants.gov
- Growth Grants from the National Association for the Self-Employed
- Ambergrants for Women
- Grants for Women
- SBA Grants
Small Business Loans for Women
Another persistent challenge for women entrepreneurs is gaining access to business financing. Many traditional lenders like banks and credit unions are reducing access to loans, disproportionately affecting women. Fortunately, various lenders recognize the gender gap in business financing access and take measures to ensure women can access small business loans.
How do Women-Owned Small Businesses help drive economic growth?
Women-owned small businesses play a vital role in driving economic growth by creating job opportunities and boosting the GDP of countries. These businesses empower women economically and contribute to promoting gender equality and bridging the entrepreneurship gender gap.
Per the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) ‘s 2023 Annual report, 14 million women-owned businesses make up 39.1 percent of all U.S. businesses—a 13.6 percent increase from 2019 to 2023. These numbers suggest that women entrepreneurs are one of the driving forces behind economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting women-owned businesses is a direct way to advance gender parity and ensure women have equal access to resources, technology, and opportunities. By recognizing and supporting the achievements of women entrepreneurs, we collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and equal society for future generations.
Women entrepreneurs are making significant strides in various industries, such as technology, healthcare, education, and retail. Their innovative ideas bring fresh perspectives into these sectors while driving competition and fostering creativity.
Empowering women economically through entrepreneurship benefits individual business owners and has a ripple effect on society as a whole. When women succeed in business, they reinvest their earnings back into their families’ well-being by providing better education and healthcare for their children.
What does International Women’s Day mean to UCS?
Here at United Capital Source (UCS), our mission is to help all small business owners succeed by using digital tools to democratize access to small and mid-size business financing. Internally, we also strive to promote an inclusive and diverse culture that includes individuals from all walks of life.
Our business finance experts connect with small business owners of diverse backgrounds to help them overcome hurdles to funding. In addition, we aim to provide guidance and advice on business success.
With this background, we are aware of the unique challenges women business owners face, including disparate access to capital and financing. That’s why we work with our network of over 75 lenders to find creative funding solutions to help overcome those barriers.
In addition, we recognize that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the lifeblood of the economy. By celebrating International Women’s Day to help promote women’s entrepreneurship, we believe we can work together for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
International Women’s Day – Final Thoughts
International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made toward gender equality and the work that still needs to be done. From celebrating the achievements of women around the world to advocating for equal rights and opportunities, this day is a call to action for everyone to support and uplift women in all aspects of life.
As we reflect on the challenges women face and the strides they have made, let us continue to push for a more inclusive and equitable society where every woman can thrive and succeed. We encourage small business owners to engage with International Women’s Day celebrations and support and promote women-owned businesses.
