International Women's Day: this is how we celebrate it!
Where are you hanging out on March 8th? But isn't March 8th just a regular Sunday? No, no. In fact, it's an official holiday in many countries. March 8th is International Woman's Day. Who Runs The World? Exactly, women. On this day, we take center stage worldwide to celebrate how far we've come, but also to fight for equality (we're still far from where we should be). This year's theme, "#notmyright," calls for awareness and action around the inequalities and injustices women still experience in their daily lives—for example, violence against women, discrimination, and economic inequality.
In many countries it is an official holiday, but that is not (yet) the case in the Netherlands. However, there are various events and initiatives during and around International Women's Day, from lectures and online events. events to protest marches. We recommend some nice ones:
International Women's Day deserves a festive celebration – and what's more festive than a cocktail with a beautiful view? Especially with the wonderful weather forecast. At LuminAir, in the heart of Amsterdam (with a view of the skyline, very nice!), we'll toast to us women with a LuMini cocktail upon arrival: a special Women's Day cocktail with 1689 Pink Gin, rhubarb, and strawberry. The cocktail has a lovely pink color – wonderfully feminine and a perfect fit. The event runs all day (from noon to midnight), and to guarantee a spot, you can reserve a table in advance.
Book here
On March 8th at 10:00 AM, you can be a power woman yourself and participate in a challenging outdoor workout in Beatrixpark. How does it work? For 10 euros, you get a 75-minute BBBB (Abs, Buttocks, Legs, and Upper Arms) workout from Sandra van Gilkes Sport. Whether you've been wanting to get back into exercise for months or are a true Pilates princess, it's for all levels. Don't forget your mat, towel, and bottle of water!
In The Hague, they're reflecting all week, from March 1st to 8th. During the week of International Women's Day, they're reflecting on the emancipation and position of women worldwide. Together with women's organizations and cultural leaders, they're organizing all sorts of fun and engaging activities in The Hague. The goal? To bring women in The Hague and beyond together to celebrate achievements and raise important issues that affect women worldwide.
The full program is here to watch
From March 5 to 15, you can enjoy beautiful films about powerful women online during the HER Film Festival. Completely free and from the comfort of your own home. Perfect for a relaxing Sunday (March 8th): something different from your standard Netflix day. We've been working for six years now Simavi en Cinetree together around International Woman's Day to raise awareness for equality. This year, you can watch five films, each with its own powerful story. So settle in with a bowl of popcorn and get inspired.
For International Woman's Day We're doing things a little differently this year. Not just flowers and kind words, but also doing something that matters. Julia joins forces with Free a Girl Foundation and is launching a campaign that can really make a difference. On March 7th and 8th, €5 of every Clay and Glow sunscreen sold will go to the foundation – buy one, Give fiveYou help free underage girls from sexual exploitation and give them a safe and new future. A small effort, a big difference. Just the way we like it.
Buy it here
Yep, March 8 is not yet a fixed holiday in the Netherlands, which means that we are most likely busy enough. Then celebrating can sometimes be overlooked. We would like to reflect on this day. How? Let's move on to the podcasts. Nice to listen to between things, easy going and it's great if we also learn something from it. Oh, and of course, preferably one where we also feel a little empowered by feeling. Whether we listen to it while getting ready, walking around town or lying on the couch: these are our favorite podcasts for and by women. Don't mention it.
Where have all those women gone? If there is one sector where we rarely see them, it is in art and museums. More nowadays, but in the history of art you rarely see women. The role of women in the art world has been a subject of research for 50 years.
The whole month of March gives the Rijksmuseum Workshops, guided tours, and lectures on underexposed Dutch women from (art) history. A wonderful opportunity to look at the art collection with a fresh perspective and see how much influence women have always had, even if it wasn't always recognized.
If it is International Women's Day and you think about international women, sooner or later you will come across Angela Merkel. She is smart, sober, firm and merciful. And don't let yourself be messed with, not even by angry men, like that crazy orange guy from America or that grumpy guy from Russia. Angela is not afraid and certainly not hysterical, an excellent example that as far as we are concerned, she can suffer during the women's march in Amsterdam.
In We are Angela eleven women speak, each writing something about their view of Angela. One (Manon Uphoff) writes a letter to the Chancellor, the other (Wilma de Rek) tries to express her admiration for this woman. But also her outfit, her metamorphosis from hoody milkmaid to 'polished Powerfrau' is examined, of course by the one and only Cécile Narinx. And then you secretly know that things are going well with that book.
