Since the strike of garment workers in 1908, where women stepped out to protest against their unfair working conditions, we have been marking and celebrating International Women’s Day each year. As a way of recognising the success and achievements of women from all backgrounds, we continue to mark this day in order to work towards a world in which gender equality has been achieved.

For 2021, the International Women’s Day campaign encompasses the need to #ChooseToChallenge – recognising the necessity of challenge as a catalyst for change. In the wake of COVID-19, this need for change is as poignant as ever with necessary lockdowns seeing an increase in domestic abuse towards women across the world.

Whether you use the day to educate yourself and delve deeper into women’s history, or decide to empower & celebrate the successes of yourself and the powerful women around you – there are many different ways to ensure IWD is at the front of your agenda.

Beyond what we can do on a personal level, the beauty industry is also stepping forward to support this years IWD campaign. We thought we’d give you an insight into their contribution to evoke change…

DIOR

In support of International Women’s Day, Dior have launched #WeStandWithWomen – a campaign inspired by the women that make up a part of their history. Inline with this, the Dior website now hosts a collection of short films with several incredible women who have shared experiences & personal journeys. Featured women include Actress Natalie Portman, Model, Actress and Activist Yara Shahidi and Figure Skater Kim Yuna.

L’OCCITANE

Over on the L’Occitane website, the beauty brand are shining a light on IWD in a slightly different way. They have released their Shea Hibiscus Solidarity Hand Cream in order to help “promote women’s leadership and support women’s economic independence in the African region of Burkina Faso”. By purchasing this hand cream, you will be supporting just that with 100% of profits donated to support women’s leadership and economic independence.

You can purchase the hand cream for just £8 here.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

As part of her collaboration with Women for Women International, purchasing a lipstick from Charlotte Tilbury’s Hot Lips 2 Collection will support their pledge of £1 million in support of the charity. With the aim of helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives, contributing to this pledge will allow the charity to bring their training programme into more areas and help more women have their voices heard.

ELEMIS

Elemis are another brand supporting women this IWD, and currently have a collaboration running with British Designer Olivia Rubin in support of The Princes Trust and their #ChangeAGirlsLife campaign. In celebration of International Women’s Day, they will be donating £5 from each sale of the Pro-Collagen Rose & Relax Duo to this cause. This ends tomorrow, so click here if you want to support this cause before it runs out.

L’OREAL PARIS

This year, in line with IWD, L’Oreal Paris announced that they would be partnering up with NGO Hollaback! to join the fight against street harassment. Launching the platform Stand Up, they are offering training sessions in order to help people learn what to do if they witness street harassment and are unsure on how to intervene, or provide training to help those who may experience street harassment themselves.

“The goal of the Stand Up program is to train 1,000,000 people to become Upstanders and ultimately build a culture where street harassment is seen as unacceptable behaviour.“

It really is amazing to see these big brands stand up and support women. If you are looking to do the same, here are a number of different things you can do to celebrate IWD:

• Attend an online event for IWD
• Acknowledge the strong & amazing women you are surrounded with
• Accomplish a personal goal and acknowledge your own achievements!
• Watch an inspiring female TED talk
• Begin a book by a female author
• Send your female friends a nice message to improve their day
• Do some research & educate yourself further about women’s history
• Listen to a podcast about International Women’s Day
• Consider speaking out on issues that are important to you!