"International Women’s Day (IWD), observed every year on March 8, is an opportunity for organizations to recognize women’s contributions while reinforcing broader commitments to inclusion, equality, and respect in the workplace."
In international workplaces, particularly those with remote, hybrid, or distributed teams, International Women’s Day works best when it’s:
- Intentionally inclusive, not focused on individuals
- Well-structured and purposeful, not just symbolic
- Engaging, not passive
- Simple to participate in during a workday
This guide is about how teams can recognize International Women’s Day in a meaningful and workplace-appropriate way, and how interactive activities can energize, increase participation, and create shared connections for the day.
What International Women’s Day Should Look Like at Work
In the workplace, International Women’s Day is not about:
- Asking women to represent their entire gender
- Expecting personal or emotional sharing
- Organizing activities that only fit in-person office staff
Instead, it’s most powerful when it’s treated as:
- A collective opportunity for recognition
- A chance to listen, learn, and reflect together
- An occasion to reaffirm inclusive values through shared experiences
This approach keeps participation voluntary, respectful, and appropriate for professional settings.
Is International Women’s Day at Work for Everyone?
Yes. In a work environment, International Women’s Day should be inclusive of everyone, not just women.
It’s most effective when:
- Men are encouraged to be active participants, not just observers
- Activities focus on shared understanding, not just personal experience
- Responsibility for inclusion and equity is seen as collective
This is why team-based, interactive activities are so successful: they let everyone join in comfortably, without singling out individuals or requiring personal stories.
Where Engagement Often Drops (and Why)
Many International Women’s Day programs lean heavily on:
- Talks
- Panels
- Presentations
While these can be valuable, they often turn into passive experiences, especially for remote or hybrid teams. Attention lags, fewer people engage, and many tune out.
This is where interactive team activities bring real value.
Adding Energy and Participation to International Women’s Day
When organizations want International Women’s Day to feel engaging instead of performative, we consistently see positive feedback around short, structured team activities that complement learning-focused sessions.
Rather than replacing panels or talks, these activities:
- Give teams something to do together
- Boost participation for remote and hybrid teams
- Maintain energy and focus during longer sessions
- Create shared moments that feel inclusive, not forced
Wildgoose-style activities work especially well because they are collaborative, time-limited, and easy to join, making them ideal for values-driven occasions like IWD.
Interactive Team Activities That Work Well for IWD
Team-Based, Low-Pressure Formats
On International Women’s Day, interactive activities are most effective when they:
- Are team-based, not individual
- Emphasize collaboration, not competition
- Don’t quiz personal knowledge or experience
- Are well-explained and time-boxed
In practice, teams use these activities to:
- Refresh the group before or after a panel or talk
- Unite people around shared prompts or challenges
- Involve everyone, not just those confident in public speaking
The priority is connection and discussion, not winning or performance.
Virtual-First Delivery for Modern Teams
Wildgoose activities are web-based and device-light, making our virtual team building activities easy to run for remote, hybrid, and globally distributed teams.
This ensures remote staff are active participants, not just spectators of an in-person event.
Flexible Enough to Fit Your Agenda
These activities are often used:
- On their own as an interactive session
- To break up longer panels or talks
- As a shared team moment within a broader IWD program
Because they’re modular and time-boxed, they can fit in without derailing the overall flow of the day.
Bespoke Activities for International Women’s Day
For organizations wanting something more customized, you can adapt or tailor activities to reflect:
- Specific themes or messages
- Internal inclusion or equity priorities
- The structure and tone of a broader IWD program
This may mean adjusting prompts, challenges, or the activity format versus starting entirely from scratch. If bespoke work is required, it’s important to reach out early so the objectives and feasibility are clear.
Making International Women’s Day Work for Global Teams
For teams divided between offices and remote locations, our hybrid team building activities allow everyone to join the same experience, whether they’re in person or online.
Virtual-first, interactive formats support this by:
- Offering a single shared experience for all
- Eliminating dependence on physical presence
- Allowing participation at different locations simultaneously, or asynchronously if needed
That way, everyone gets a fair and consistent experience, no matter where they’re based.
What to Avoid on International Women’s Day at Work
To keep International Women’s Day meaningful and inclusive, avoid:
- Putting individuals on the spot
- Activities relying on personal storytelling
- Gestures that only include office staff, not remote workers
- Symbolic actions lacking clear purpose
Always prioritize shared engagement, respect, and purpose.
Making International Women’s Day Meaningful (Not Performative)
International Women’s Day is most impactful when it:
- Fits within wider inclusion initiatives
- Promotes collective learning and engagement
- Uses structured, team-based activities to facilitate participation
Panels and talks provide important context and insight. Interactive team activities offer connection, energy, and shared experience. Together, they deliver a balanced, inclusive approach that suits today’s teams.
FAQs: International Women’s Day at Work
Is International Women’s Day at work just for women?
No. At work, International Women’s Day should welcome everyone and reinforce shared responsibility for inclusion.
How can we keep International Women’s Day engaging for remote teams?
By prioritizing virtual-first, interactive team activities that let everyone participate equally.
Are interactive activities appropriate for International Women’s Day?
Yes—if they are collaborative, inclusive, and focused on shared learning, not personal experience.
How do we avoid International Women’s Day feeling performative?
By being clear about intent, steering away from personal spotlighting, and choosing activities that encourage participation over symbolism.
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