6 Inspiring Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day
Celebrated every March 8, International Women’s Day is a day to honor the achievements and contributions of women around the globe.
Here are six inspiring ways that you can celebrate this important day this coming weekend.
1. Support Other Women
One of the best ways to celebrate women is to support them. By supporting fellow women, you help to empower them so that they can be independent and, in turn, will be able to give back to their communities. A smart and yet simple way to do this is by funding loans to women-owned small businesses via the MEKAR platform.
MEKAR is an online platform that lets you fund small business loans. Around 95% of borrowers in MEKAR are women. Many of them run a small warung or eatery, some are farmers or craftsmen; every single one of them owns or runs a micro business in the informal sector in many different villages and cities in Indonesia.
With as little as IDR 100,000, you can start funding small business loans via MEKAR. It sure is a great way to support women in the country and actually make a positive impact, don’t you agree? The cherry on top is, you’ll earn a return that is much higher than what is offered by most bank time deposit accounts, starting from 7,18% flat annually.
2. Celebrate Women in Film
Whenever an occasion calls for a celebration, a movie night is always a sure bet to get families and friends to enjoy a little “together time”. So grab your best friends, office pals, or significant other this weekend and binge-watch these amazing movies about women (or those directed by awesome female Indonesian directors):
3. Enjoy a Girls’ Night Out at Jakarta’s First Feminist Bar
For a night of good music and stylish cocktails with a side of women empowerment, head to Bar Gina in Senopati, South Jakarta. The feminist-themed bar offers a range of wittily-named craft cocktails, such as “Unapologetic”, “Between Moods”, and “Konnichiwa Bitches”. To accompany your drink, the bar also hosts a live music session on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Should you feel the need to let loose, you are welcome to show off your Smule-honed singing talent by going for the stage and mic. Now that’s how you celebrate womanhood with a bang!
4. Read Books Written by Women Authors
After a big night out, how about some down time with good books this weekend? Check out this list of great reads by Indonesian women authors:
- “Ibu Mendulang, Anak Berlari” by Cyntha Hariadi
- “Gentayangan” by Intan Paramaditha
- “Non-Spesifik” by Gratiagusti Chananya Rompas
- “Laut Bercerita” by Leila S. Chudori
5. Marvel in the Works of Women Artists
Indonesia’s art scene is brimming with talented female artists and 21 of them are currently featured in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Indonesia. Opened until March 16, “Into the Future” focuses on the strengths of female perceptions. Get in touch with your cultural side by marvelling in the works of these amazing women artists of Indonesia, including Natasha Gabriella Tontey, Ayu Arista Murti, Cecilia Patricia Untario, Kinez Riza, and Syagini Ratna Wulan.
6. Donate to Organizations That Are Empowering Women
One in three women in Indonesia have experienced violence in their lifetime. Indonesia is, in fact, the second-most dangerous country for women in the Asia Pacific region, according to a recent study by Singapore-based research company ValueChampion.
Fleeing domestic violence is rarely easy. Women who do so often seek shelter in refuges, but many of these refuges are in dire need of financial support. This is where you come in.
You can help women who are escaping domestic abuse by making a donation to women refuges such as Yayasan Pulih, Savy Amira Women’s Crisis Centre, and Yayasan Lentera Sintas Indonesia.
There are also organizations that are focused on women empowerment that you can donate to, such as Perempuan Peduli Keadilan and Yayasan Perlindungan Perempuan dan Anak.
Read also: Modern day Kartini: Women talk about money and relationship
