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International Women’s Day (IWD), marked annually on 8 March, celebrates the achievements of women and girls while recognising the ongoing work needed to achieve equality and equity.
It highlights contributions across communities, science, sport, culture, leadership and everyday life, and encourages people of all ages to reflect on opportunity, representation and participation.
Within Scouting, International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to explore these themes through learning by doing. Activities can help young people notice achievements, recognise different experiences and consider how environments influence who feels able to take part. Through practical experiences, discussion and community action, young people develop awareness of equality and understand how small actions contribute to wider change.
Purpose of This Pack
This programme pack supports Sections to engage with the themes of International Women’s Day in ways that are age-appropriate, practical and youth-led. Each resource focuses on experiencing ideas rather than simply learning about them.
Across the Sections, activities explore:
▪ Celebrating achievements in many forms
▪ Recognising representation and diverse experiences
▪ Understanding equality as participation and opportunity
▪ Connecting local actions to global movements
▪ Encouraging young people to see themselves as contributors to positive change
The progression moves from noticing and appreciation in younger Sections towards reflection, perspective and community action in older Sections.
Using This Resource
While each activity is written with a specific Section in mind, they can be adapted to suit different age groups, mixed Section events or joint programme nights. Scouters and youth members to adapt complexity, discussion depth and outputs to meet the needs of their group.
Some Sections may choose to:
▪ Run activities across multiple meetings
▪ Adapt an activity for a younger or older group
▪ Use role model stories across several Sections
▪ Combine activities for Scout Group or community events
▪ Extend an activity into their ongoing programme plans
The intention is not to provide a fixed plan, but a support for engagement with International Women’s Day.
By engaging with International Women’s Day through shared experiences, practical challenges and community connection, young people develop an understanding that equality is shaped through everyday actions as well as global movements.
Beaver Scouts International Women’s Day Resource
Cub Scouts International Women’s Day Resource
Scouts International Women’s Day Resource
Venture Scouts International Women’s Day Resource
