International Women’s Day is as much about the young girls (and boys) around the world as it is about the grown-up women we celebrate on March 8 every year.
While it’s easy to think of it as a pretty adult occasion, IWD is the perfect opportunity to shape the next generation of owmen into confident, self-assured change-makers that will lead the way in the future.
The kids may not be ready to read high-brow feminist literature yet, but you can get them started on promoting equality in eight fun ways this IWD.
1. Watch a film that promotes girl power
Kids learn from what they see and what better way to teach them about the importance of women’s voices and actions than with a movie with a confident girl as the lead?
Stream movies like Frozen and Mulan on Amazon Prime Video, or plenty more on Binge.
WATCH: Frozen 2 official trailer. Story continues after video.
2. Spend quality time with the women closest to you and the kids
Whether it be with Nanna, your next door neighbour, or all of the aunties, make time for the women in your lives and make it special.
If you’re not lucky enough to live near your female relatives, get them on Facetime, Zoom or on the old-fashioned mobile phone. After all, the kids can learn a lot from older generations of women.
3. Make some feminist food
Ok, this might just be an excuse to make cakes, but trying a new recipe with the kids and adding messages of female empowerment can be fun and feminist.
Or even better, why not get your partner to make the cakes… and the dinner, while they’re at it.
4. Have a discussion about female suffrage
It’s just as relevant now as it ever was, but it’s so important to teach children how far we’ve come.
We now live in the digital information age, so showing the kids old videos and documentaries about where women started and what we’ve achieved can be as easy as a quick YouTube search.
5. Encourage them to read/read them a feminist book
Night of the Five Aunties by Mesa Somer (Age 5-9), The Princess in Black by Dean Hale and Shannon Hale (Age 5-8) or Just Us Women by Jeannette Caines (Age 4-8) are all great options.
And for 10+, give The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C Wrede a go.
6. Let them know feminism means equality
This is an important message to share with the kids on IWD, as many people (kids and adults!) still get the definition of feminism wrong.
Feminism is defined as “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.” AKA equal rights for women and men, not one or the other.
7. Have a look at the celebrations across the world
Whether it’s following inspirational Instagram accounts by via the #internationalwomensday hashtags or just scrolling through social media feeds to see how the celebrities are celebrating International Women’s Day, get involved!
You can share your own celebrations with the kids, show them how other families are marking the day or even just treat it as a way to spend time together.
We always love reading the awesome signs at the women’s marches around the world.
(Image: Getty)8. Donate in their names
It’s easy for kids to feel like they don’t have much impact on the world around them, so give them a voice by donating to a women’s cause or charity in their name this IWD.
You can contribute as much or as little as you can afford, or even just match what the kids get for pocket money, but it will show the kids that their actions can help create change.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!
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