March 8 is almost here, time to get ready for this year's International Women's Day! 

International Women's Day is a collective day to globally celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and to bring attention to gender related issues that are still affecting women's lives every day.

Even though we've seen a lot of shifting attitudes in the past few years when it comes to gender based discussions (like the impact of the #metoo movement), there are still many feminist battles left to fight.

If you or your company is looking for a suitable giveaway that brings attention to International Women's Day and female empowerment, we can make custom buttons for you!

What's the theme for International Women's Day?

The theme of IWD 2019 is #BalanceForBetter. Here's what InternationalWomensDay.com is saying about this year's theme...

"From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence. Balance drives a better working world. Let's all help create a #BalanceforBetter."

This year's campaign is particularly focused on gender balance from a business perspective. People and organizations worldwide will focus on questions like:

• How to achieve gender-balanced boardroom
• How to create gender-balanced governments
• How to obtain gender-balance in news & media
• How to achieve gender-balance for employees

When Was International Women's Day First Celebrated?

International Women's Day has a century long history that dates all the way back to 1911.

For many, many years the day was mainly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries (March 8 was marked as a national holiday in Soviet Russia as early as 1917).

It wasn't until 1975 that the day was officially adopted by the United Nations.

How Can I Participate in International Women's Day?

Since this year's IWD is especially focused on how to create gender balance in businesses, media and political organizations - consider arranging your own IWD event at work! Invite your co-workers to a feminist film screening, or hire a public speaker to educate you about what actions you can take in your workplace to achieve better gender balance. 

As an individual, you can go here and take a pledge for gender equality:

International Women's Day and Beyond, I Pledge To...

If you're in Ottawa on March 8, consider joining the challenge "Walk In Her Shoes". This is a fundraising initiative that aims to reduce the distance and time women and girls have to walk. Support will be going out to the women and girls of Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. Here's what the organizers have to say... 

"When women work, economies grow. And when women's share of household income increases, spending changes in ways that benefit children. Support ONE woman to overcome poverty, and she will bring FOUR people with her." Walk In Her Shoes

How Can I Order Pins & Buttons for International Women's Day?

If you're looking for an effective way to spread your message this International Women's Day, you can design and order your own feminist buttons right here.

Pick your button size, click *customize* and create your empowering designs with our online button designer. Once you're happy with your design, *add to cart* and head to checkout to place your order.

Then stay seated and relax while one our custom button shops in either Ottawa or Toronto makes your buttons ready in no time! If you are local, you can pick up your custom buttons in store, if not - have them shipped right to your door!

Pssst... if you like the feminist button designs we have featured in this blog post, you can order them from People Power Press.