International Women’s Day: 3 brilliant events to stream online

This Monday (March 8) marks a very different kind of International Women’s Day. In a normal year, venues all over the world would be hosting all manner of events remembering those who’ve fought for women’s rights – and raising awareness about all the work that still needs to be done to combat gender inequality.

So, how can you actually celebrate IWD in 2021? Well, there’s still a whole host of cool events taking place – it’s just that most of them are now online rather than IRL. One good thing about that, of course, is that you can tune in to events from all around the world. So if you do want to feel inspired this IWD, here are three great virtual International Women’s Day events that you can stream online, wherever you are.

1. The Shows Must Go On: Letters Live

Every IWD, Letters Live hosts a one-off event where well-known performers read ‘remarkable letters’ by women, about women or to women. In one way or another, each underlines the continued global fight for gender equality. This year, there is no physical event, but an online highlights show will include past performances from women including Olivia Colman, Gillian Anderson, Rose McGowan and Daisy Ridley. The video will be available on ‘The Shows Must Go On’ YouTube channel for seven days from Monday.

2. Women of the World

London’s Southbank Centre would usually host a weekend of panels, talks, workshops and performances to mark IWD. This year it’s going online, and most events are free to attend. On March 8, there will be talks from American activist, journalist and businesswoman Pat Mitchell, former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard, and British broadcaster Sandi Toksvig. There will be live performances from musicians Anoushka Shankar and Fatoumata Diawara. The festival continues until March 21.

3. Vancouver International Women in Film Festival

Any night for the next week or so, you can don your finest clothes, grab a glass of something and attend an actual film festival from your living room. Vancouver International Women in Film festival runs until March 14, and is offering exclusive online screenings of 32 films, to coincide with IWD. Each screening includes a virtual talk from filmmakers, and tickets start at C$10 (£6, $8, A$10). Highlights include Kyrgyz drama ‘Ala Kachuu’ and Canadian supernatural thriller ‘The Curse of Willow Song’.

And here’s a clutch more excellent virtual events streaming around the world this month.