5 initiatives for International Women's Day

Every year, on the occasion of International Women's Day, there are numerous brands and associations that organize initiatives dedicated to female empowerment, the elimination of inequalities, and everything that revolves around the female universe. This year, unfortunately, the initiatives will be exclusively online, starting with the international call to action #choosetochallenge on social networks. nss G-Club has collected the 5 most interesting initiatives of this year, all to be discovered.

1. Casa Congo

Casa Congo is a non-profit association and community cooperative based in Nicaragua, which supports sustainable development, creating education and work opportunities and supporting the recovery of the local economy, including through the regeneration of the natural environment. This year launches a beautiful initiative with the aim of celebrating female leadership. Starting March 8, throughout the week, the platform will tell the stories of seven incredible women whose work, strength and leadership in the El Astillero community are an inspiration to the entire community.

The first woman presented by Casa Congo on the occasion of International Women's Day is Daniela, who coordinates many projects within the association in a leadership role, with great strength and dedication, especially following a strong hurricane that hit the communities of El Astillero last year; the second is Senelia, community leader of Las Tejedoras and political secretary, pillar for the community peace and security agreements; the third woman is Arlenys, a nurse whose work and dedication saved countless lives in El Astillero; then it's the turn of Adela, who plays a central role in the community in providing access to food and water, supporting a program for the access to water tanks and pumps; after Adela, Casa Congo will tell the story of Mima, who runs the environmental education program at Casa Congo and the local school in El Astillero - teaching future generations about ecology and the importance of conservation - while looking after four nurseries of sea ​​turtles and managing maintenance projects in the Chacocente Wildlife Refuge; then we move on to the Las Tejedoras women's collective, made up of 19 local women who weave recycled plastic into beautiful bags, wallets, curtains or other accessories, whose motto is "1 bolsa minus, 1 tortuga mas" (that is, 1 plastic bag less on the beach, 1 more turtle); last but not least, mother turtle: when she finds the right spot on the beach she prepares to lay over 100 eggs, then scrupulously covers the nest and returns to the ocean. They are the symbol of perseverance, of the power of mother nature, of the strength and dedication of all women.

2. The Maptique x Yspot

This year, not only mimosas. SEXUAL WELLNESS 101 is coming, the exclusive lab promoted by The Maptique in collaboration with Yspot, a leader in the sexual well-being sector based in Milan.

The lab, scheduled for March 8th from 18.30 to 20.00 on Zoom, will consist of an interactive and practical talk held by a team of experts, followed by a workshop focused on the construction of the practice of masturbation, with the aim of clearing customs and promote masturbation as a tool to get to know your body, also thanks to the suggestions of the experts on the use of Yulia, Yspot sex toy included in the kit for all participants in the lab.

The mission of Yspot and the workshop is to celebrate women and their freedom, including that of living sexuality in a healthy and creative way, through self-love. And if you haven't been able to sign up for the lab, keep an eye on Yspot for gift ideas (for yourself or others) and The Maptique for unique experiences. Are you still sure that mimosas are the right gift?

3. Babbel

Babbel's language experts use their skills to invite us to reflect on how the Italian language, as it evolves, can help raise awareness and make our society less sexist. How?
To eliminate sexist attitudes from everyday life, Babbel explains, we can start from the basics, from the means we constantly use to communicate, namely language, for example by introducing new words to identify undesirable behaviors without equivocation.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Babbel, the first app in the world for language learning, has collected some English expressions - of which there is no Italian equivalent - that indicate sexist behavior. Among the 9 main neologisms, we find hepeating, which is used to indicate a sexist behavior that could manifest itself especially in the workplace; slut-shaming, or the act of judging a woman from her sexual point of view by giving her "no good"; gaslighting, which refers to a psychological manipulation technique that leads a person to doubt their perception or judgment; with catcalling we indicate the appreciations made to a woman on the street by men but which, in reality, turn out to be anything but true compliments (and above all they are not appreciated!). The hope is that these terms will enter the common lexicon to invite a profound reflection on each of the problems they highlight.

4. IKEA x Zara Larsson

When two Swedish giants meet, something good can only be born. On the occasion of International Women's Day, IKEA meets singer Zara Larsson and together they launch a digital game called FiftyFifty, with the aim of launching a message against inequality at home.

"In the best of times, the division of household chores can be challenging for couples and add an unnecessary level of stress. Add in home working and home schooling due to lockdowns, and the situation is exacerbated even further. And with women still undertaking more of the basic care needs, this is causing strains in many relationships, regardless of their length or the life stage of the couple. FiftyFifty provides a pause button to help us all, regardless of gender, revaluate and re-set our home life. In many cases, an open and honest conversation is the first step to resolving imbalance". - said relationship expert Jennie Miller, who worked with the furniture label to develop the game.

"As a female artist, I feel the effects of inequality in my industry every day – many people don’t realise music is still such a male-dominated space. There are so many places where inequality still exists but goes unseen. The change really has to start in our own homes, in our own lives and relationships." - says Zara.

FiftyFifty guides couples through ten questions designed to start an honest conversation about everyday equality, in a fun, casual setting, and will launch digitally on March 8 on IKEA's Instagram feed. To see Zara Larsson's virtual concert, go to her YouTube channel on her on March 8 at 8pm.

5. Sephora

On the occasion of International Women's Day and throughout the month of March, Sephora organizes a series of initiatives aimed at celebrating women, supporting their talent and their aspirations in the professional field. This year she does so by actively supporting Piano C, an association that was created with the aim of helping women improve their career path, foster female empowerment and the participation of women in the world of work.

From March 8th to 14th, part of the revenues from the sales of Sephora Collection lipsticks on sephora.it will be donated to Plan C to support its initiatives. Furthermore, on March 8, all orders over € 50 on the site will receive a free box containing 3 mini-sizes of the cult brands Anastasia Beverly Hills, Fenty Beauty and Benefit, which have always been supporters of female empowerment.

In addition, Sephora will take part in the international challenge #choosetochallenge, a call to action created to invite people to reflect and raise awareness on gender equality and other issues related to the world of women. The beauty giant has chosen red lipstick as a symbol of female empowerment and fil rouge of the challenge: Sephora staff and makeup artist inaugurate it by publishing a shot with red lipstick and a raised hand on social media, as if to say "I AM THERE" and support values ​​such as inclusivity and diversity, and will invite the entire beauty community to do the same.