International Women’s Day Celebrations – Weeklong Activities with Green Initiatives

Published on by Green Initiatives

Women of the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes, and violence; a future that is sustainable, peaceful, with equal rights and opportunities for all. To get us there, the world needs women at every table where decisions are being made.

Why International Women's Day (IWD)

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

source: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/IWD2021

Marked annually on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:

  • celebrate women's achievements
  • raise awareness about women's equality
  • lobby for accelerated gender parity
  • fundraise for female-focused charities

With the COVID-19 pandemic still ravaging countries across the world, this year’s IWD is even more important with women at the front lines of the crisis.

Women are leading the fight as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers, and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic.

Why is IWD Important for Green Initiatives?

As a leading social enterprise based in China focusing on social and environmental issues, IWD is all the more important for us since women comprise over 80% of all of our work communication, engagement, and partnership in the social impact space.

IWD EVENT SERIES SPONSORS

To further recognize and support the women in our communities, Green Initiatives is partnering with various organizations, companies, and nonprofits to highlight women’s role in our life, society, and business, and further, inspire others – both men and women – to join them, via a weeklong series of inspiring activities.

IWD EVENTS / BRAND PARTNERS

Below is a list of various activities we are organizing with the support of various partners.

Event 1: He Named Me Malala: Film Screening
Date: Monday, 8th March 2021, 19:00-21:00
Venue: Education First (EF), Jing an
In partnership with the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Shanghai, we screen He Named Me Malala, a 2015 American documentary film that presents the young Pakistani female activist Malala Yousafzai, who has spoken out for the rights of girls, especially the right to education since she was very young. 
Film screening will be followed by a discussion with Corinne Hua, Executive Director, Stepping Stones & Hedda Himle Skandsen, Deputy Consul General at the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai.

Scan QR code to register

Event 2: She Rocks: China’s Superwomen Breakfast Discussion

Date: Wednesday, 10 March 2021, 08:00-10:00
Venue: Education First (EF), Jing an, Shanghai
We are inviting inspiring women from our local community, who we proudly call "China's Superwomen", to share inspiring stories of how they wear different hats and play diverse roles as a Mother, Teacher, Wife, Boss, Sister, Grandmother, etc, how is woman leadership all the more important in these times post-covid-19, what is real gender equality, and how do we strive to achieve that further in our lives. 
We will have an interactive discussion with the attendees on the many challenges of achieving a balance in life, fulfilling these different roles. Guest Speakers include:
  • Lise Nordgaard, Consul General of Norway in Shanghai
  • Shirley Zhou, Founder, No.1 Organizer Platform & Author, 365 Ways to Self-Compassion
  • Tina Ting, Marketing Director, Allbirds
  • Francesca Valsecchi, Professor, Tongji University 
  • Fei Xu, Author, Former Publisher, Aspiring Filmmaker, and Eco-Enthusiast 
  • Annakarin Toren, Director of Wellness, EF to share their views and stories on different burning issues. 
The session will be moderated by Lin Zhang, Chief Sustainability Advisor at The Natural Step China.

Scan the QR code to register

Event 3: La Bolduc: Film Screening

Date: Thursday, 11th March 2021, 19:00-21:00
Venue: Haworth Showroom, Jingan Kerry Center Tower 1, Shanghai
In partnership with the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai, we screen La Bolduc, a Canadian drama film - a biopic of Quebec folk singer Mary Rose-Anna Bolduc, also know known as Madame Bolduc. During the peak of her popularity in the 1930s, she was known as the Queen of Canadian Folk Singers. 
In the wake of the economic crisis of the 20-30s and the first glimpses of the beginning of the fight for woman's rights, the movie follows her roaring career, a difficult marriage, and the touching relationship she had with her eldest daughter, Denise.

Scan QR code to register

Event 4: Girl in Tails: Women’s Day Special Film Screening

Date: Thursday, 12th March 2021, 19:00-21:00
Venue: 1900 LOFT, Dingxi Road, Shanghai
In partnership with the Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai, we screen Girl in Tails (Flickan i frack), a notable work by Swedish female director Karin Swanström. The film has come to be viewed both as a classic comedy and a pioneering feminist film from the Swedish “silent era” of the 1920s. 
It tells the story of Katja, a young student who wears her brother's tailcoat to the ball, creating a further scandal by drinking and smoking cigars; something unheard of during that conservative era.

Scan QR code to register

Event 5: Her Planet, Her Children: Charity Music Concert

Date: Saturday, 13th March 2021, 18:00-22:00
Venue: On Air Space, Xuhui
In partnership with Seeds of Change, we support the 5th Charity Music Concert to bring people together to celebrate the role of women in protecting and upholding of the life on our planet. Through the medium of music led by all-female musicians, we hope to inspire hope and courage to all. Prepare to be mesmerized by some amazing music from: 
  • Boyana Joseph, Bulgarian vocalist, bassist, composer, and recording singer
  • Sarah Mou, songwriter, singer, guitarist, and percussionist from Morocco
  • Mandy Chen, a Chinese artist performing traditional Indian percussion instruments, and 
  • Jinyu Wang, Erhu, Banhu and Dongqin player.
All proceeds will be given to two children-focused charities in the hope of providing more opportunities for our next generation of guardians of nature. PropRoots, protecting over 200 kids in Jingpo, Yunan; and Bright and Beautiful, supporting the psychological well-being of girls living in the under-resourced areas in China.  

Scan QR code to register

Special thanks to all our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and most importantly all the amazing women who are dedicating their precious time to make this series happen.

Wish you a Happy International Women’s Day, hope to see you next week at some of these activities.