Top 20 International Women’s Day Activities for Employees to Boost Morale and Inclusion

A workday can feel routine until a moment invites people to pause and reflect. International Women’s Day offers that moment. It gives teams a chance to recognize the voices, efforts, and everyday impact of women across the workplace in a way that feels personal and meaningful.

Thoughtful International Women’s Day activities for employees help turn appreciation into action. They create space for conversation, learning, and connection while making employees feel valued rather than overlooked. When done well, these activities strengthen culture and leave a lasting impression that goes beyond a single celebration.

International Women’s Day 2026 Theme: Give to Gain

The International Women’s Day 2026 theme is Give to Gain. The theme highlights a clear truth in today’s workplaces. When organizations give support, opportunity, and respect, they gain stronger teams and better results. The focus moves away from symbolic gestures and toward meaningful action that benefits everyone.

In a work setting, Give to Gain promotes shared responsibility. Leaders invest time in mentoring, learning, and fair systems. Employees respond with higher trust and stronger engagement. This exchange creates long-term value rather than short-term attention.

The theme also reflects real business outcomes. Companies that support equality often see better teamwork and innovation. Giving is not a loss for organizations. It is a practical choice that strengthens culture and performance.

Why Do We Celebrate International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8. The day recognizes women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

After World War I, women used the day to demand voting rights and fair labor laws. In 1977, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day.

Today, organizations observe the day inside workplaces. The focus of International Women’s Day activities for employees has expanded to leadership access, pay equity, safety, and career growth. At its core, the day is about building systems that support women every day.

Top 20 International Women’s Day Activities for Employees Every Workplace Should Try

Celebrating women in the workplace goes beyond events and speeches. The right International Women’s Day activities for employees can inspire, connect, and motivate them. They create a culture of respect, inclusion, and engagement. Below are 20 practical ways to make the day meaningful for your team.

1. Leadership Experience Sharing Sessions

Organize small group sessions where employees share real career experiences. Focus on challenges, turning points, and lessons learned at work. Keep the tone conversational rather than formal. Honest stories help employees relate and feel less alone in their growth journeys.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It honors women’s achievements by giving space to real career stories and lived workplace experiences.

2. Structured Mentorship Programs

Launch a mentorship program that pairs employees across levels or teams. Set clear goals such as skill growth or career clarity. Even short-term mentoring builds confidence and direction. Employees value guidance that feels personal and practical.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It supports women’s growth by offering guidance, learning, and access to career development.

3. Pay Equity Transparency Talks

Use the day to explain how the organization reviews pay fairness. Share the process, not just outcomes, in simple language. Transparency reduces mistrust and speculation. Employees respond better when they understand how decisions are made.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: Such International Women’s Day activities for employees reinforce fairness by openly addressing pay equality and accountability.

4. Skill-Led Learning Workshops

Invite employees to lead short workshops based on their strengths. Topics can include negotiation, leadership, data skills, or communication. This highlights internal expertise. It also creates a culture of shared learning.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It highlights women’s expertise by positioning them as knowledge leaders.

5. Employee Story Features

Highlight employee journeys through internal blogs or videos. Focus on work experiences, growth, and learning moments. Avoid overly personal details. These stories build connection and appreciation across teams.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It recognizes diverse journeys and contributions made by women across roles.

6. Inclusive Leadership Training

Provide managers with focused training on inclusive leadership. Cover topics like fair feedback, bias awareness, and growth support. Use real workplace scenarios. Managers shape daily employee experiences more than policies.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It strengthens women’s voices by encouraging fair and respectful leadership behavior.

7. Women-Owned Business Collaboration

Next on this list of  International Women’s Day activities for employees is Women-owned business collaboration. Partner with women-owned businesses for events, catering, or services. Share their business stories with employees. This supports equality beyond internal teams. It also aligns company values with action.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It supports women beyond the workplace by promoting female entrepreneurship.

8. Career Planning Clinics

Offer one-on-one career planning sessions with managers or HR. Discuss skill gaps, growth paths, and learning options. These conversations reduce uncertainty. Employees feel supported when future paths feel clearer.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It invests in women’s future growth and long-term career confidence.

9. Confidence and Visibility Sessions

Run sessions focused on confidence and professional presence. Cover speaking up, sharing ideas, and self-advocacy at work. Use practical examples that employees face daily. Confidence grows through guided practice.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It encourages women to speak up and gain recognition for their work.

10. Cross-Department Networking Sessions

Arrange short networking conversations across departments. Encourage employees to discuss roles, challenges, and goals. These sessions reduce silos. Strong internal networks improve collaboration and understanding.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It builds connections that increase visibility and collaboration for women.

11. Flexible Work Policy Review

Use International Women’s Day to review flexible work policies. Explain how employees can use these options without penalty. Invite feedback on what works or needs change. Clear communication increases trust.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It acknowledges diverse responsibilities and supports balance and inclusion.

12. Allyship Awareness Workshops

Host workshops that explain how to be a supportive workplace ally. Focus on listening, respect, and everyday actions. Avoid blame-driven discussions. Inclusion improves when responsibility is shared.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It promotes shared responsibility in creating an inclusive workplace.

13. Learning Budget Awareness Campaign

Highlight available learning and development budgets. Explain how employees can apply and use them. Many benefits go unused due to a lack of clarity. Awareness drives participation. This activity helps employees see learning as an opportunity.

How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It enables access to learning and skill growth opportunities.

14. Career Break and Return Discussions

Host discussions on career breaks and re-entry experiences. Normalize non-linear career paths. This reduces fear around life changes. Employees stay longer when flexibility feels real. These conversations help employees feel supported during major life transitions.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It respects life choices and normalizes non-linear career paths.

15. Everyday Recognition Programs

Encourage teams to recognize daily contributions openly. Focus on effort, collaboration, and consistency. Avoid limiting recognition to senior roles. Regular appreciation improves morale. This approach helps employees feel valued for steady work, not just big wins.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It values consistent effort and contributions across all levels.

16. Diversity Data Sharing Sessions

Share internal gender diversity data with employees. Explain progress, gaps, and next steps. Honest data builds credibility. These International Women’s Day activities for employees value transparency over perfection. Clear context helps employees understand what the numbers mean in daily work. Open data also encourages shared responsibility for improvement.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It supports transparency and accountability around gender progress.

17. Men as Workplace Allies Sessions

Invite male employees to learn how to support equity at work. Focus on practical actions rather than theory. Shared responsibility strengthens culture. Inclusion succeeds when everyone participates. These sessions clarify everyday behaviors that support fairness and respect.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It ensures inclusion efforts involve everyone, not just women.

18. Mental Health Resource Awareness

Use the day to highlight mental health support options. Keep participation optional and private. Psychological safety matters. Support should feel accessible, not forced.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It prioritizes emotional safety and well-being at work.

19. Employee Resource Group Development

Create or strengthen internal women’s networks. Provide leadership support and clear goals. Structure helps groups stay active. Community improves resilience and engagement. These networks offer a safe space for sharing challenges and advice.

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: These International Women’s Day activities for employees build community, mentorship, and long-term support systems.

20. Action Planning and Accountability Meetings

End the day with clear action planning sessions. Identify priorities, owners, and timelines. Follow-up builds trust. Real change comes from sustained effort. This ensures that ideas from the day are not forgotten and are implemented effectively. 

➤ How it celebrates International Women’s Day: It turns awareness into lasting action and measurable change.

How do International Women’s Day Activities Impact Employees?

According to Gallup, 22% of female employees worldwide are engaged at work. But how can we increase this even further? The answer is rightin front of you.

International Women’s Day activities for employees show how they feel about their workplace. When companies show steady support, trust grows over time. Employees feel seen, respected, and included. This feeling strongly affects engagement and long-term retention.

Higher engagement connects to better performance, safety, and overall well-being.

These activities also influence leadership behavior across teams. Managers who practice fairness build healthier work environments. Teams experience less stress and stronger cooperation. The positive effects continue long after the event ends.

For organizations, the results are clear and measurable. Employees who feel valued put in more effort and stay longer. This shows how International Women’s Day activities for employees strengthen workplace culture. They can do this while supporting business goals.

Conclusion:

Celebrating International Women’s Day at work offers a real opportunity to recognize contributions, spark meaningful conversations, and strengthen inclusion. Thoughtful International Women’s Day activities for employees create moments where people feel appreciated, supported, and connected. These initiatives boost morale, engagement, and collaboration, making the workplace a more respectful and empowering environment for everyone.

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