International Women’s Day gift ideas

International Women’s Day (IWD) falls on March 8 each year. It’s a day to celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness of gender equality issues globally. 

International Women’s Day gifts have become a popular way to mark the occasion. Many consumers flock to marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy to pick up specially-designed gifts for International Women’s Day. Consumers also like to share articles listing female achievements and playing games as part of their IWD celebrations. 

In this article, we’re giving e-commerce sellers tips on sourcing International Women’s Day gifts. We’re also explaining the significance of IWD, and guide on how to promote the occasion in your marketing campaigns. 

History of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day was originally founded in 1911 by Clara Zetkin, the German leader of the Social Democrat Party. On March 19, 1911, over one million women from Germany, Denmark and Switzerland protested for the right for women to vote, work, hold public office and gain a better education. 

The first mass participation of Americans in the event followed a mere week later, on March 25. New Yorkers took to the streets in droves in support of the 146 workers (123 of which were young, female, immigrant workers) tragically killed in the so-called ‘Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.’ The protest was originally organized by left-wing labor unions, outraged by the poor working conditions and safety standards at the garment factory. But the event itself transformed into a mass demonstration for women’s rights in general. 

The ideals of Women’s Day were taken up by the suffragettes and other activists, who took to the streets to demand that women be given the right to vote. During the First World War, women in Europe and the Americas took on many male-dominated roles to help with the war effort. Women became mechanics, drivers, farmers, factory workers, and nurses, while most fighting-age men were sent into brutal theaters of conflict. 

By the end of the Great War, politicians could no longer argue that females played a secondary role in society. So, after a hard-fought series of votes in Congress, the Nineteenth Amendment became part of the U.S. Constitution on August 18, 1920. The Amendment stated that: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Following this historic win, IWD passed into relative obscurity. That was, until the swinging sixties and the advent of the ‘second wave’ of feminism. It was at the tail end of the decade that activist Laura X organized a march in Berkeley, California, held on International Women’s Day in 1969. The march proved popular, and since then, paralleling the growth of the civil rights movements and other social justice efforts, the event has only gained more prominence within American society, and has become a key calendar date across the country.

As the history books show, the latter half of the 20th Century was still a long, hard struggle for women to win the rights and representation their male counterparts took for granted. Sadly, this struggle is still ongoing to this day. Yet at the beginning of the 21st Century, we can look back on the suffrage movements and broader feminist initiatives and feel a sense of pride at what brave women once achieved and continue to achieve. 

However, we must continue to build on the sacrifices the suffragettes made to win yet more freedom and campaign for gender equality and rights for all women worldwide.

Ideas for International Women’s Day gifts

If you want to start celebrating the women in your life and their achievements, why not emulate major retail brands like Girlfriend Collective and Nordstrom? Consider following their example and setting up dedicated IWD listings in your e-commerce store. 

You can promote your product range by offering to donate some of your sales proceeds to women’s charities, such as Women’s Voices Now, Equality Now, and the Center for Reproductive Rights. Or, you can source products from some of these female-led brands. 

Here are some ideas for gifts for International Women’s Day: 

Clothing 

If you operate a print-on-demand dropshipping service, create some International Women’s Day-inspired t-shirts or tote bags, and design graphics and slogans that bring the message home to your customers. 

Or, if you’re not very talented at design, you can hire a female graphic designer to create some artwork for you. You can find talented and affordable artists for hire on sites like Upwork or Freelancer. Here, you can check out the artists’ portfolios of work and agree to fixed prices and delivery dates for your designs. 

Alternatively, you can use a free graphics and logo site, such as Canva, and have a go at designing your own International Women’s Day artwork. Don’t forget to also create some IWD-themed banners for your product pages and homepage! 

Books 

If you sell homewares and entertainment products in your e-commerce store, coffee table books can be a lovely addition to your listings. 

There are many titles available that focus on gender equality and the achievements of women throughout history. Check out the collections on book wholesale merchant sites like BookPal or Black Signature. You can stock a range of new titles or create bundle offers on second-hand, women-themed books.  

Printed IWD accessories

Many International Women’s Day fans treat their friends and coworkers with gifts. Therefore, you could choose to source a range of office and home accessories that encourage women to embrace their inner ‘Goddess,’ or ‘Momma Bear.’  

For example, you can sell printed coffee cups, cutlery sets, and hydro flasks for ‘goddesses’ who like to have lunch on the go. You can also purchase and print IWD-inspired keyrings, notepads, mouse mats, desk calendars, and other products. 

There is loads of scope to use your imagination when it comes to picking out the right International Women’s Day gifts for your e-commerce website. 

For example, if you run a cookware brand, your customers could source gift ideas for IWD fans who like to experiment with crafts or in the kitchen. Similarly, your store might choose to appeal to gym-goers with IWS-inspired sportswear or products to help busy career professionals.  

Wherever there is an e-commerce customer, there is likely a buyer who would appreciate some International Women’s Day gifts –– so get creative!

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