From the most gender-balanced Olympics on record to Kiwi premier Jacinda Adern deciding to prioritise her wellbeing, the world—and women—are making all the right strides when it comes to women’s rights. But much work is yet to be done. This International Women’s Day, here’s how organisations can focus on bringing gender equality to the workplace.

Where are we now?

• IWD started when women in the early 20th century demanded political rights, particularly suffrage, which led to the designation of 8 March as Women's Day.

• The theme for this year's campaign per IWD.com is #EmbraceEquity, while the United Nations (UN) has chosen "DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality".

• While one focuses on gender equity, the other highlights the impact of the digital gender gap on economic and social inequalities and the importance of protecting the rights of women in digital spaces.

What can you do?

• Celebrating IWD can start with simple actions such as thanking your women employees (through words of appreciation and more tangible results such as promotions or bonuses), inviting a motivational speaker to discuss the importance of an equitable workplace, or asking everyone to wear purple and decorating the office.

• But beyond these one-time events, organisations should also make strategic long-term changes to the workplace. These can be at the communication level—such as working with your social media team to make gender equality a constant communication theme throughout the year—and at the policy level, by having more women on management teams and conducting regular surveys about the staff’s views on gender parity in the workplace.

What’s next?

• Regardless of whether you choose to follow the theme adopted by the UN or by IWD.com (or both), being aware and spreading awareness about women’s rights is the ultimate goal - find the ways to do that that work for your organisation.

• To make sure that women and girls have the same opportunities in technology and digital education not only at the workplace but also in their personal lives, it's important to develop and cultivate these skills at the workplace first.

This IWD, make sure to celebrate all women - and allies - and to let them know they are appreciated for everything they do.

"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made."

- Ruth Bader Ginsburg