International Women Day’s learning toolkit

March 8 is International Women's Day. It’s a global day to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls. It’s also a time to highlight the progress made in advancing women’s rights and the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society.

Engage with your students or other youth in your life by joining the conversation and celebrating International Women's Day in your classroom and beyond!

• Engage students
• Lead activities in the classroom

Engage students

As part of International Women's Day, you can have a discussion or assign a research project on one of the following topics.

Kindergarten to Grade 1 research topics

• Friendship and respect
• Exploring hobbies and interests
• Representation in stories

Kindergarten to Grade 1 discussion questions

• What makes someone a good friend?
  • Does it matter who they are, or is it how they treat you more important?
• What are some different jobs people can have?
  • Do you think anyone can do any job they want, no matter who they are?
• How can you show kindness to others every day?
  • Do you think it's important to be kind to everyone, no matter who they are?
• What do you like to do for fun?
  • Do kids all like to do the same things or different things?
• Name a movie or story character you like. Why do you like about the character?
  • Can you name a character from a movie or story that you think is really brave? 
  • Do you think anyone can be brave, no matter who they are?

Grades 2 to 3 research topics

• Define equality
• Define diversity
• Define gender
• Exploring hobbies and interests
• Historical figures

Grades 2 to 3 discussion questions

• Have you ever felt left out or treated differently because of your gender? How did it make you feel?
• Have you ever been told that you can't do something because of your gender? How did it make you feel?
• Can you name a woman you admire? What qualities do you admire about her? Can you name a man you admire? What qualities do you admire about him? Do you notice any similarities or differences in the qualities you admire in women, men and people of different genders?
• Why do you think it's important to treat everyone fairly, regardless of their gender?
• What are some jobs you've heard of that you think boys and girls could both do? Why do you think it's important for everyone to have the same opportunities?

Grades 4-6 research topics

• Define gender equality
• Define gender identity and expression
• Empowering women and girls

Grades 4 to 6 discussion questions

• What is gender equality and why is it important?
• What is gender identity and why is it important?
• How can we respect someone’s gender identity?
• What does it mean to empower women and girls?
• Why is it important to empower women and girls?
• What are ways we can empower women and girls?

Grades 7-9 research topics

• Define gender equality
• Define gender identity and expression
• Women’s right to vote
• Women in politics
• Women in Canadian History
• Resources for women and girls

Grades 7 to 9 discussion questions

• Why does achieving gender equality matter and how can we continue to make progress?
• Discover some important milestones in Canadian women’s history by checking out the Women in Canadian History: A Timeline. What are some key events that stand out to you?
• What would Canada be like today if women had not won the right to vote? What other rights might be affected?
• What do you think would happen if there were more women involved in politics?
• Think about some gender stereotypes. Why are these stereotypes harmful? How might someone who hears a harmful comment be impacted?
• What can people in Canada do to defend human rights for women and girls living in Canada?
• What role do men and boys have in achieving gender equality?

Grades 10-12 research topics

• Women’s career paths and professional development
• Entrepreneurship and leadership among women
• Women and girls in STEM
• Women and girls living with disabilities
• Global events and their impact on women (i.e. COVID-19 pandemic, World War II, etc.)
• The role of women in Canada’s economy throughout the years
• Intersectionality (Gender-based Analysis Plus)
• Gender equality
• Gender identity and expression
• Resources for women and girls

Grades 10 to 12 discussion questions

• What is gender-based violence? It’s not just locker room talk. It’s not just a bad day. It’s not just flirting. Gender-based violence is a serious issue that affects everyone in Canada, especially youth. Learn more about “It’s Not Just”, a national campaign to raise youth awareness about gender-based violence.
• Have you ever observed gender inequality in your own life?
• How does gender inequality affect women’s and girl’s opportunities to thrive and hold back Canada's economy?
• Why do you think there are there fewer women in leadership positions? What can be done to change this?
• How can men and boys get involved with addressing gender inequality?

Lead activities in the classroom

• Plan a public service announcement
  Address a gender equality issue by creating a Public Service Announcement. Ask students to brainstorm common gender stereotypes and suggest ideas for overcoming them, or to identify how the school can become more inclusive for people of all genders. Students can create visuals, such as posters and digital media, to promote their messaging either in print or online.
• Women role models and leaders
  Ask students to research a trailblazer who inspires them. They could be living or deceased, Canadian or part of the international community, in politics, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or another field of their choice. Need inspiration? Check out the Women of Impact in Canada online gallery or get to know some recipients of the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. Have students prepare a report or presentation on their selected person including their achievements, impact in their chosen field, and how they have promoted gender equality.
• Host a movie screening
  Screen a movie or documentary film that deals with gender equality issues. Create a list of questions for students to consider beforehand and encourage them to take notes throughout the screening. Get students to have small discussions in groups after watching the movie. They can talk about the film's themes and messages, share their reactions and opinions, and then each group can give a report-back summarizing their top points.
• Put on a skit or performance
  Encourage students to write a skit that explores imagined or real-life scenarios related to gender equality and human rights. Plays could be re-enactments of historical events, stories inspired by student experiences, speculative or science fiction exploring gender equality (or inequality) in the future, adaptations of classic works by feminist authors, or improvisational performances with audience participation.
• Organize a model parliament or United Nations
  Organize a House of Commons or a United Nations simulation as a way for students to share ideas, debate and express their views on gender equality. Students can write short one-minute statements that present opinions and explore issues facing women and girls around the world, using research to bolster their arguments.
• Create a museum celebrating women's achievements
  Students can create a museum that celebrates women's achievements by creating posters and exhibits for the classroom or an online gallery. Create categories or themes for achievement, such as arts, politics or science, and strive to create a museum that includes women of different time periods (past to present) and cultural backgrounds.
• Host a guest speaker (virtual or in person)
  Invite a guest speaker from a local women's organization or someone who works on gender equality issues in the community or in government to give a presentation on their work. The speaker can engage students on what they do in their line of work and how it relates to women’s rights or gender equality, along with the challenges facing women and girls in their field. The speaker could also talk about emerging ideas that impact women and girls, bring forward any solutions they might have, along with promising practices for how to address the challenges.
• Create art pieces
  Students can lean into their creativity by making an art piece that expresses their feelings about feminism, gender equality, gender identity and gender expression. Students can work together to create a mural, mosaic, sculpture or a vision board that depicts an important human rights issue or marks important milestones in the quest for equality.