This is a great time to start planning for your EDI activities and events in 2024. There are many calendar dates attached to each under-represented group that allow you and your teams to celebrate, acknowledge or to reflect.
This is a great time to start planning for your EDI activities and events in 2024. There are many calendar dates attached to each under-represented group that allow you and your teams to celebrate, acknowledge or to reflect.
The Empower Up list of important dates and events is constantly updated and provides a great starting point for month-by-month planning, as it covers the key dates associated with all groups and communities. And if you are looking now at earmarking your full calendar of 2024 activities, we are pulling together a series of articles focusing on individual groups, starting here with Gender. Diaries ahoy!
March – Women’s History Month
Originally celebrated in the US, Women’s History Month is now recognised around the world as a period for acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of women throughout history.
Link: https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month
March 7th – Women in Games Careers, Development & Networking Expo
A free virtual event for women, girls and allies around the world, the Expo features a day of inspiring speaker sessions, a virtual booth area hosting studios and other organisations who are hiring diverse talent, plus invaluable networking.
Link: https://www.womeningames.org
March 8th – International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is one of the best known of the observance dates (and surely the most complained about by angry men…). The United Nations began celebrating the date in 1977, International Women’s Year, and it is now led by UN Women which highlights a theme each year to help governments, companies and individuals to celebrate it collectively. Note: There is an International Women’s Day organisation and website that was launched in 2009 – this was established by a commercial marketing company and is not aligned with the UN Women initiative.
April 26th – Women in Games Fizz & Cake @ WASD
Networking, cake and Prosecco (plus soft drinks) – what’s not to like?
Link: https://www.womeningames.org
June 4th – Women in Games Recruitment Expo
As it says on the tin, this is a virtual careers fair where studios and other games companies are available to discuss career opportunities and advice.
Link: https://www.womeningames.org
June 12th-18th – Men’s Health Week
This is an annual campaign by the Men’s Health Forum to encourage men and boys to think about their health, whether physical or mental. There’s a theme each year, along with guidance and resources for individuals and organisations to utilise.
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw
July 10th – Women in Games Fizz & Cake @ Develop:Brighton
Networking, cake and prosecco (plus soft drinks) – what’s not to like, again?
Link: https://www.womeningames.org
September 18th – International Equal Pay Day
Another UN initiative, International Equal Pay Day is designed to highlight the gender pay gap around the world. In the UK, the brilliant Fawcett Society highlights each year the exact day when women stop earning when compared to men, so it’s worth looking out for that date too – usually in November.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/equal-pay-day
September 23rd-29th – National Inclusion Week
Founded by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces.
Link: https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/national-inclusion-week/
October 11th – International Day of the Girl
Another campaign by the United Nations, or specifically its UNICEF arm, the International Day of the Girl, it is designed to raise awareness of the inequality facing girls around the world due to their gender.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day
October 11th – Women in Games Annual Global Conference
Another virtual event from Women in Games, this international event provides a full day of thought-provoking talks and challenging debates.
Link: https://www.womeningames.org
October 18th – World Menopause Day
Organised by the International Menopause Society, World Menopause Day is aise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing.
Link: https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day/
November 19th – International Men’s Day
A global awareness day for the many issues that face men, including mental health. The date is not recognised by the United Nations, but more and more governments and corporations are recognising the day.
Link: https://ukmensday.org.uk
November 21st – Women in Games Careers, Development & Networking Expo.;
Link: https://www.womeningames.org
November 25th – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Once again headed up by the United Nations, this day raises awareness of the fact that women and girls are subjected to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence. The date marks the start of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day
To ensure that you’re on top of all the important dates in the EDI calendar, bookmark the Empower Up Events page here.
