March 08 is celebrated across the world as International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate and applaud the amazing social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women globally. A day when we all celebrate the progress towards gender equality i.e. inclusion and participation of women, from the household to the public spheres.

Celebrating Women’s Day in your office is more than just a day on the calendar; it’s an opportunity to inspire, motivate, and empower your teams. A thoughtfully curated Women’s Day celebration can help organizations foster inclusivity, recognize achievements, and promote a culture of growth. From meaningful gestures like personalized giveaways to engaging team-building activities, there are countless ways to make the day memorable and impactful.

Here are some creative ideas for celebrating Women’s Day at work, along with our curated list of dynamic female speakers to inspire your teams:

1. Personalized Giveaway

Create a personalized message for each women employee at your organization and put that note on their workstations. If most of your employees work from remote locations, you can also circulate a personalized email message. The idea is to make them feel they are special and important.

In addition, the HR managers can also create a photo collage of women achievers at their organization. They can showcase this collage through various platforms such as intranet, desktop wallpapers, and emails. Such kind of recognition will solve two purposes. First, it will send a message to all those women achievers that how the entire organization value their efforts and achievements. Secondly, it will also inspire and motivate other female employees to achieve more and more.

2. Implementing a Women’s Leadership Program

A Women’s Leadership Program (like this one) is one of the most impactful ways to ensure the long-term development and success of women leaders in your organization. The business impact of running such a program includes:

• Fostering a more diverse workforce, bringing varied perspectives and experiences to the table
• Expanding the pool of potential successors, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent for future leadership roles
• Promoting balanced decision-making, drawing on diverse viewpoints and improving overall organizational outcomes
• Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity, boosting employee morale and engagement across the organization
• Positioning the organization as forward-thinking, attracting top talent, and enhancing its reputation in the market

Investing in a Women’s Leadership Program not only supports the professional growth of women but also strengthens your organizational culture, paving the way for lasting success.

3. Book a Female Speaker to Motivate Your Team

An impactful way to celebrate Women’s Day is by inviting a dynamic female motivational speaker. These speakers bring unique perspectives, inspiring your teams to embrace leadership, resilience, and growth. Whether you’re planning a women in leadership workshop or exploring new ideas for Women’s Day activities in the office, these talks can leave a lasting impression.

Major Prajakta Desai

An inspiring leader and trailblazer, Major Prajakta Desai’s journey from the Indian Army to corporate leadership embodies resilience and determination.

Key Topics: Leadership in adversity, fostering high-performance cultures, and nurturing future leaders.

Sufiya Runner

With record-breaking endurance achievements, Sufiya Runner inspires audiences to overcome challenges and push their limits.

Key Topics: Lessons from endurance sports, resilience, and teamwork.

Roshani Shenazz

As a holistic therapist and thought leader, Roshani Shenazz empowers individuals with mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices.

Key Topics: Emotional intelligence, diversity in leadership, and personal growth.

Smita Tharoor

An expert in unconscious bias and cultural inclusion, Smita Tharoor’s talks challenge stereotypes and foster inclusive environments.

Key Topics: Combating unconscious bias, creating inclusive workplaces, and leadership development.

Namrita Chandi

Namrita Chandi’s inspiring story as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force motivates individuals to embrace resilience and rise above challenges.

Key Topics: Women’s empowerment, overcoming adversity, and building resilience.

Rhea Mazumdar Singhal

As the founder of Ecoware, Rhea Mazumdar Singhal exemplifies leadership in sustainable business practices.

Key Topics: Sustainability in business, purpose-driven leadership, and entrepreneurial challenges.

Deeya Bajaj

An adventurer who has climbed the highest mountains on every continent, Deeya Bajaj’s story inspires leadership, resilience, and environmental responsibility.

Key Topics: Leadership in adversity, women’s empowerment, and sustainability.

You learn read more about Deeya Bajaj in this blog post – “Deeya Bajaj – The Girl Who Conquered Mount Everest”.

Natalia Cohen

Part of the first all-female team to row across the Pacific Ocean, Natalia Cohen’s story showcases the power of teamwork and mental resilience.

Key Topics: Mental resilience, effective team dynamics, and navigating challenges.

4. Host a Fireside Chat

Engage your teams with an inspiring fireside chat featuring extraordinary women leaders. For instance, in 2024, we hosted the FocusU Firestarter, a special edition titled “Inspiring Women to Transform Workplaces.”

This event brought together five remarkable women who have shattered glass ceilings and redefined what women can achieve. From scaling Mount Everest to leading corporate boardrooms, commanding skies, and shaping future leaders, these women challenged norms, defied expectations, and made their mark in traditionally male-dominated arenas. Their stories inspired participants to think beyond limits and drive transformation in their workplaces.

Organizing a similar fireside chat can:

• Inspire your teams with real-life success stories
• Highlight diverse perspectives and leadership styles
• Foster meaningful conversations about inclusion and empowerment