Events

International Women's Day Events

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements regardless of divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. 
 
In 2011, over 500 events were held around Australia to celebrate the centenary of International Women's Day. Plans are afoot in diverse areas across Australia for the 2012 celebrations. Please return to this page in January 2012 to register your event or find an event near you.

ORGANISE AN EVENT

BEFORE THE EVENT, YOU SHOULD...

DECIDE ON A TYPE OF EVENT
International Women's Day in Australia is celebrated in many different ways. The UN Women Australia Chapters often hold a breakfast or lunch, however, some people choose to hold art exhibitions, morning teas or seminars on women's issues. Choosing the type of event will depend on your resources, when the event will be held and who you would like to target your event towards.

SET A DATE
International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th. You can hold your International Women's Day Event any time in February or March.

REGISTER YOUR EVENT - OPENING SOON
Register the details of your International Women's Day Event via this International Women's Day Website in mid December. This Website will give people one central place to source information about events and activities in their local area. Registering your International Women's Day Event will also enable UN Women Australia to send you materials to distribute at your event. Once your event is registered, the IWD Administrator will be in contact with you to offer advice and assistance.

Our Register Your Event Facility will open in mid December along with more information about how you can access official IWD merchandise and materials.

INVITE GUESTS
Once you have registered to International Women's Day Event, you will need to invite guests. Registering your event on the International Women's Day Website means that you will be able to refer your guests to the website for more information.

SPONSORSHIP
Many local businesses in your area will be interested in sponsoring your event, either by providing in-kind donations for raffles, prizes or money to cover some of your costs. Seeking local sponsorship is encouraged for each event. Sponsorship can be sought in many different forms, including:

  • In-kind sponsorship for printing, postage, flowers, signage or graphic design;
  • In-kind sponsorship of food or beverages for the event;
  • Discounts on venue hire, meals, supply of audio visual equipment or the purchase of other services;
  • Donation of raffle prizes or gifts for each guest; and / or
  • Sponsoring a corporate table at an event.

When identifying appropriate sponsors, consider approaching businesses that are interested in the demographic of people that will attend your event, or who may like to be recognised as socially responsible. Recognising all sponsorship no matter how small is essential to ensure good relations with sponsors, and to encourage them to support the work of UNIFEM Australia in the future. Some examples of how best to acknowledge the support of sponsors include:

  • Offering the sponsor free attendance at the event (if costs allow);
  • Displaying their logo on event invitations, programs and presentations;
  • Allowing sponsors to display a company banner or materials at the event;
  • Verbally recognising and thanking sponsors at the event.

After each event, sponsors should be contacted by letter and formally thanked for their support. Sending a photo from the event is a nice touch! 

AFTER YOUR EVENT, YOU SHOULD...

THANK ATTENDEES
Let your atendees know how much money you raised, remind them of where their money will be spent and the impact it will have for women's economic empowerment, and thank them for attending.

RECONCILIATION FORM
A Reconciliation Form must be submitted to ensure that the money you raised goes to the International Women's Day Project.

DONATE MONEY RAISED
Instructions for how to donate money raised for UN Women projects from IWD Events will be available shortly.