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International Women's Day - March 8, 2024

International Women's Day

Celebrate achievements, raise awareness, and drive gender equity. International Women's Day belongs to everyone, everywhere. Visit International Women's Day for more information on the international campaign.

Each year, International Women's Day events are held worldwide - ranging from community gatherings to corporate functions - celebrating women's achievements. Search International Women's Day events near you.

International Women's Day in Canada

The Government of Canada's theme for International Women's Day 2024 is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." It emphasizes the importance of gender equity in creating healthier, more prosperous, and inclusive communities. Let's all contribute to a future where everyone can thrive.

Take a look at this timeline to discover notable events in Canadian women’s history and learn more about the powerful women who created change.

International Women's Day at Western University

Check out Women in Engineering who are raising awareness through the BreakTheBias campaign!

BreakTheBias allows us to progress toward a society free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Learn how to support Women in Engineering by contacting Terra Ahrens, Director of Development, Engineering, at tahrens@uwo.ca or 519 661-2111 x83743. Contribute to scholarships and mentoring for female students. Let's pledge to #BreakTheBias and create a gender-equal world!

W'at Abowt Us: Film Screening & Panel with Director Shelley Jarrett

Wednesday, March 6 in the McKellar Room (UCC 290)
Film Screening @ 1:00 p.m.
Q&A Panel with Director Shelley Jarrett @ 3:00 p.m.

Since exploding onto the news in the fall of 2017, the #MeToo movement has built up impressive momentum. Thanks to Oprah Winfrey and her by now famous Golden Globes speech, it has spawned another hashtag, #TimesUp.

W’at Abowt Us is a factual documentary told from a diverse point of view. Women share their stories of vulnerability and shame which take place in diverse locations: from the home to the workplace; from the church to community settings. The incidents crossed the boundaries of abuse between sexual, physical, and emotional. The women also come from all the major cultural backgrounds, showing that this systematic harassment knows no barriers.

For more information on the film & cast visit their website.

March 7 (10:00 AM - 11:30 AM) - In-person
Join in on a celebration of International Women's Day, "Empowering Women in Innovation," hosted in partnership by Western’s Innovation & Strategic Partnerships portfolio (Western Research Parks, Strategic Partnerships, and WORLDiscoveries). This morning event is dedicated to honouring the remarkable achievements and contributions of all those who identify as women in the field of innovation. All are invited to join this inclusive event, regardless of gender identity. RSVP Required by March 4th, 2024. Register today!

Celebrate International Women’s Day with Brescia
March 7 (Doors open at 5:30 PM) - In-person
Take part in this momentous occasion as Brescia celebrates 105 years of women’s development. This event will mark the coming together of our community, alongside friends and supporters from across the region, to honour and celebrate the immense potential of women. A celebratory reception followed by a keynote address by Brescia alumna and Hockey Canada CEO, Katherine Henderson will take place on the evening of March 7. Spaces are limited, register now!

The Role of Empathy and Vulnerability in Leadership w/ Terri Givens
March 8 (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM) - Online
Join the Office of EDI at Western online to explore the importance of empathy and vulnerability in effective leadership. Terri Givens is a Professor of Political Science at McGill University and formerly the CEO of the Center for Higher Education Leadership. As the author of the book “Radical Empathy: Finding a Path to Bridging Racial Divides,” she is a sought after consultant and speaker on issues related to leadership and inclusion. She has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, politics, international affairs, and nonprofits. Register today!

International Women's Day Talks at King's
March 8 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM) - Hybrid event
Hosted by the King’s Office of EDID, this event celebrates women's achievements and addresses pressing issues with three short, powerful talks. Three speakers of varying backgrounds, Dr. Jane Sanders (School of Social Work), Valentina Virviescas (KUCSC Chief Communications Officer), and Lyla Bruyere (Indigenous Elder and Residential School Survivor) will share insights for 15 minutes. There will be time for a Q&A after each talk. Donations are being accepted for the King's Cupboard. There will be a bin to donate non-perishable food items and/or feminine hygiene products. Location: Kenny Theatre. You can also register to attend by Zoom.

The IDSTEM 2024 Conference - Saturday, March 9 - Sunday, March 10 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

Inspiring Diversity in STEM is a grassroots initiative dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The IDSTEM 2024 Conference is a biennial conference, held at Western University. Along with several keynote speakers, this conference with feature4 workshops on bias in AI, neurodiversity-affirming approaches to grad school, building a queer-friendly STEM and much more!

Inspiring Inclusion Through Understanding Resistance and Building Support
March 15 (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM) - Virtual via Zoom

Felicia A. Henderson (INSEAD) and Zoe Kinias (Ivey at Western) will share insights from their research projects and impact work in an interactive dialogue. The conversation will focus on Felicia's insights on why resistance to EDI efforts emerges and Zoe's findings on how to develop broader support for EDI. They will also share perspectives on how social categories relate to resistance, support, and impact in inclusion efforts. Register to attend by Zoom here!

Tricky Grounds: Indigenous Women's Experiences in Canadian University Administration by Candace Brunette-Debassige Since the 2015 release of the report on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, new Indigenous policies have been enacted in universities and a variety of interconnecting Indigenous senior administrative roles have been created. Many of these newly created roles have been filled by Indigenous women. But what does it mean for Indigenous women to be recruited to Indigenize Western institutions that have not undergone introspective, structural change? Informed by her own experiences and the stories of other Indigenous women working in senior administrative roles in Canadian universities, Candace Brunette-Debassige explores the triple-binding position Indigenous women often find themselves trapped in when trying to implement reconciliation in institutions that remain colonial, Eurocentric, and male-dominated. The author considers too the gendered, emotional labour Indigenous women are tasked with when universities rush to Indigenize without the necessary preparatory work of decolonization. Drawing on an Indigenous feminist decolonial theoretical lens and positioning Indigenous story as theory, Brunette-Debassige illustrates how Indigenous women can and do preserve and enact their agency through resistance, and help lead deeper transformative changes in Canadian universities.