Women’s Day is on March 8. It is a global event dedicated to supporting women’s rights, gender equality and ending abuse against women and girls.

It is also an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women, and to show gratitude and appreciation for the important women in our lives.

A brief history of International Women’s Day

In 1908, women marched through New York, protesting for better working hours, pay, and the right to vote. One year later, it became the official Woman’s Day. In 1910, the day was adopted across the world. In 1977, the United Nations started officially marking the day. International Women’s Day is celebrated in over 100 countries, using themes and colours. Purple symbolises justice and dignity, while green stands for hope.

This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is ‘embrace equity’.

Celebrate the women who have fought against discrimination and encourage the inspirational women you know

All of us know women who are true role models. So, how should we celebrate them? It’s easy to get caught up in the commercial aspect of the day, but if you’re on a budget and still want to celebrate women’s day, there are many meaningful and thoughtful ways to pay tribute to the wonderful women in your life. And small acts matter. You may just want to spend some quality time with a woman you admire, be it your mum or a best-selling author. Or you may wish to show your respect with a small gift. Either way, here are some ideas on how you can celebrate International Women’s Day without spending loads of money,

Ways to celebrate International Women’s Day on a budget

1. Get the background: We live in a world filled with women from all walks of life whose backgrounds and life experiences may differ greatly from our own. International Women’s Day is about getting to know one another and recognising that we all work best as a team. Take some time to learn about the history of International Women’s Day, as well as the achievements and struggles of women throughout history. Check out https://www.internationalwomensday.com/.

2. Listen and learn: There is no better way to celebrate the women in your life than by listening. Hearing women share their experiences, knowledge, and advice is one of the best ways to get inspired to make a change. Whether it’s a family member, a fictional character, a historical figure or a woman you work with, hear their stories, their concerns and struggles and understand how they may differ from yours. Then think of a way to better support a busy mum you work with, your mother, partner, female artist or entrepreneur.

3. Attend an event: Many organisations, community groups, and women’s centres hold events to mark International Women’s Day. Look for local events in your area, and attend them to show your support for women’s rights. You could attend a virtual event at the beehive: International Women’s Day Breakfast at Parliament.

4. Come together with stories: Books can be thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Why not start a book club with your colleagues, family or friends that focuses on women’s issues, empowerment, and achievements? You don’t have to get together and discuss the books if you don’t want to. You could simply share wonderful books by and about amazing women amongst yourselves. For books on wide-ranging topics, you could check out A History of New Zealand Women by Barbara Brookes, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende or Educated by Tara Westover, for example.

5. Host a movie night: You could grab some friends, some popcorn and view the world from a woman’s point of view. Here are a couple of ideas for films by women directors or films featuring a women-centric cast. Check out Hidden Figures, the story of NASA scientists who helped launch the first American astronaut into space. Or you could watch a movie set in New Zealand by our very own Dame Elizabeth Jane Campion. According to Wikipedia, she is the only woman to be nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Director and won once with The Power of the Dog. The Piano won her the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

6. Volunteer your time: You could volunteer your time with a local women’s organisation or charity. This could involve helping with fundraising, organising events, or offering support and resources to women in need.

7. Donate to charity: Consider donating to a charitable organisation that supports women’s rights and empowerment locally or globally. For example, Dress for Success is a global not-for-profit that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing the support, clothing and development tools to help them thrive.

8. Support women-owned businesses: Vote with your dollar. Consider supporting women-owned businesses by shopping at women-owned stores, buying products made by women-owned companies, or buying from companies that empower women. You could, for example, get some ethically made clothing from the New Zealand company Little Bird or make up a gift box of goods from Dove. Dove’s body image campaign has helped promote a healthier, more diverse representation of women and girls. They also create tons of resources for educating girls on self-esteem and self-worth.

9. Write a heartfelt letter: This is a gift that costs you nothing but your time and creativity. While you can easily say thank you with a thoughtful text or a hug, why not show your partner, family member, colleague or friend your appreciation with a few kind words to remind them of their importance in your life? Purple is often associated with this day, so why not use purple writing paper or choose a purple card?

10. Spend time with Mother Nature: Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day enjoying nature and the company of a wonderful woman.

Acknowledge the awesome women in the world

No matter where you are or what you’re doing, why not pause for a moment to reflect on International Women’s Day?

Have you been particularly inspired by a woman in your life? Make sure to thank her. Whether it’s a professional role model or your mum, appreciation is important, and there’s no better feeling than being recognised for your hard work. Simple words of encouragement and love can go a long way in helping and inspiring someone to keep going. Whether it’s your best friend, grandmother, sister, daughter, girlfriend, struggling artist, wife, boss or colleague, celebrating the women in your life and their accomplishments doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. With a little thought and creativity, you can show your appreciation and gratitude in meaningful and thoughtful ways. And you can do it on a budget.