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International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March has become a significant global occasion, recognised by both individuals and organisations around the world. IWD looks to celebrate the achievements of women, promote gender equity, and raise awareness about the challenges women face globally.

As International Women’s Day has grown, more people are looking for ways to show solidarity with women globally. But what is the best way for organisations to do this in an authentic and meaningful way?

For several years now, 8 March has been marked by a wave of people demonstrating their support for International Women’s Day through themed ‘gestures’. In 2020, supporters shared photos of themselves and their colleagues making equals signs with their arms to show they stood for equality. In 2022, they were encouraged to make a cross with their arms to ‘break the bias’ for women everywhere.

However, more recently the suggested ‘gestures’ for 2023 and 2024 have raised concerns. By asking people to share pictures of them hugging themselves or making heart shapes with their hands, organisations could be seen to be reinforcing gender stereotypes and diverting attention from the more serious issues at hand.

This year’s “Inspiring Inclusion” hand-heart pose may seem innocent, but it perpetuates the stereotype that women are defined by their emotional and nurturing qualities. This gesture reduces the rich diversity of women’s experiences and contributions, reinforcing traditional gender roles and going against the spirit of IWD.

How to celebrate International Women’s Day

By using the hand-heart gesture in International Women’s Day communications, you could inadvertently be doing more harm than good. But if this is the case, what are some alternative ways that organisations can celebrate women’s accomplishments in a meaningful way?

• Centre comms around the official UN IWD theme, Invest in women: Accelerate progress
• Shine the spotlight on female employee experiences through webinars, podcasts or panel discussions
• Amplify the voices of women in your business by inviting them to share their own stories
• Highlight any initiatives specifically designed to support women within the business
• Make public commitments to furthering gender equality in your organisation
• Provide educational content that helps audiences understand gender equality issues
• Partner with organisations that focus on women’s rights and empowerment

Need support creating impactful International Women’s Day communications? Let’s talk.

Want to see what we can do for you? Check out some of our work building inclusive cultures and celebrating diversity here.

Since we certified as a B Corp over a year ago, the movement of purpose led businesses committed to the highest levels of ethical standards has grown exponentially.  

As a business who believes in helping to drive system change, this is really exciting. As a business looking to improve the sustainable credentials, ethical standards or even honesty and transparency of their supply chain this is even more exciting. 

There are now a plethora of great agencies in the B Corp movement to choose from so we’ve gathered a selection of our favourites, and are delighted to introduce you to them and their strengths.  

Across the Pond 

Go to them for: If you’ve got a complex tech story you need to make more human 

When it comes to experts in their field, you don’t get much better than Across the Pond, working with the tech worlds finest from Google to Meta they are not just committed to but laser focused on helping tech brands create a better world.  

You can check out some of their work here and give and find out more about what they do here.  

Footprint 

Go to them for: Expert help with your digital marketing  

Footprint are the friendliest digital team we’ve ever met and seamlessly educate their clients on the mysteries of digital marketing from algorithms and impressions to the dark art of SEO whilst also driving their performance forward.  

Check out some of their success stories here and don’t hesitate to ask them for an introductory call here.   

Jago

Go to them for: Expert personal branding  

Jago are experts in empowering people to master their reputations through building impactful personal brands. Their team of EQ experts, anthropologists, film makers and storytellers work together with their clients to develop a clear identity, game plan and necessary tools to find and cultivate audiences.  

Check out what their customers say about them here and to find out more give them a shout here.  

Kyan 

Go to them for: Developing platforms and apps 

Kyan and a technology agency with a mountain of experience behind them, they solve problems and unlock innovation using their creative and technical expertise. They guide their clients through tricky challenges from immersive, hands on workshops and journey mapping to solution framing and brand visions so you’re in safe hands end-to-end.    

You can check out some of the problems they’ve solved here and get in touch with them here.  

Magnus Consulting  

Got to them for: B2B marketing strategy consultancy 

Magnus are passionate about the power of marketing to drive growth and we’d describe them as heavy weight B2B growth specialists, led by the tenacious and uber experienced strategist, Teresa Allen.  Described as ‘strategic partners and very much part of our team’ by clients at Korn Ferry who say they ‘fundamentally get our business and vision and work relentlessly to help us achieve our goals’.

You can check out their work here and get in touch with them here.    

Wildfire PR  

Go to them for: If you’re tech brand looking to out talk your competitors  

When it comes to PR the point is to stand out, Wildfire PR are all about thinking bold, challenging preconceptions and outsmarting the competition. It’s not about being flashy or hype, it’s about being confident in pushing boundaries and these guys are well versed in pushing boundaries in the tech world for their clients from servicenow to unbuntu and NTT data.   

You can see some of their work here and if you like what you see, give them a shout here.  

Yoyo Design 

Go to them for: Switching up your digital experience  

We all know there are digital agencies and then there are digital agencies, Yoyo don’t just create websites they create experiences that impact your business. Engaging, immersive and intuitive blended together to bring beautiful, high quality, digital experiences that work.  

Check out their work here and give them a shout here.  

Something Big 

Come to us for: Creative communications that create a meaningful difference 

We’re creative communications experts who specialise in workforce culture and ESG communications. We’re on a mission to make the workplace fairer, healthier and happier. Using insight and originality, we’re passionate about creating communications programmes that result in long-lasting impact for our clients and our world. 

Check out our work here and reach out to us here.

Choosing B Corp agencies

If you’ve found a great B Corp business who you love working with, why not give them a shout out, remember, let’s all help ethical, great and sustainable businesses thrive. Our planet and future generations will thank us for it.