Campaigns
IDWisely: International Day of Women in Sustainability
Celebrated every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day.
About the day
A day to celebrate women shaping sustainable futures
The Women Sustainability Forum first took place on 8 March, International Women’s Day. Since then, we have celebrated this date every year as the International Day of Women in Sustainability, IDWisely, and many voices have been raised along the way.
IDWisely invites our global network, partners and everyone who believes in a more sustainable future to recognise the women leading change in sustainability science, policy and practice, past, present and future.
Why we celebrate
IDWisely aims to
Celebrate
the talent, perseverance and contributions of women in sustainability across every region of our network.
Raise awareness
of the achievements of women and of the opportunities to advance gender equality in sustainability.
Inspire action
through initiatives that accelerate women’s leadership and make sustainability more inclusive.
Our campaign
Invest Wisely for Better Futures
On IDWisely we launch our annual campaign, Invest Wisely for Better Futures. It calls on organisations, governments and communities to invest wisely in women’s leadership, knowledge and ideas, and it amplifies the voices of women who are shaping better futures.
The campaign builds on the legacy of the eWisely network and its call to invest wisely in women, and it brings together the stories of Exceptional Women in Sustainability from around the world.
Use our hashtags
International Women’s Day
Voices for better futures
To celebrate International Women’s Day, women from across our network joined us to share their ideas on women and sustainability. Watch their messages.
Dr Harini Amarasuriya
Sri LankaWhen she joined our International Women’s Day campaign, Dr Harini Amarasuriya was a senior lecturer in the Department of Social Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka, an academic and rights activist, and represented the National People’s Power. She is known for her research on youth unemployment, gender inequality, child protection and the education system.
In her message, she shared why the sustainability campaign should focus on equality and social justice. Today she serves as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and we are honoured that she has taken part in our campaigns.
Cameroon
Project Manager, Women-Oriented Actions for Change (WOAC)
Rafiat works with WOAC, an NGO that protects the environment around women through advocacy and capacity building, strengthening women’s participation in policy and tackling gender inequality. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Yaoundé I and a Master’s in Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering from the University of Ngaoundéré.
Sri Lanka
Nuclear Engineering student, Université Paris-Saclay
A Nuclear Medicine honours graduate of the University of Colombo, Ruvi now studies Nuclear Engineering in France and is a YouTube creator and blogger. She shared her journey as a young academic and her ambition to work on sustainable energy production through nuclear power.
Ghana
Founder, Learners Girls Foundation
A Mastercard Foundation scholar at CAMFED studying Nursing at the University for Development Studies, Alira saw how the pandemic disrupted children’s education and rallied volunteers and teachers to help. The group became the Learners Girls Foundation, bringing quality education to remote communities and a beneficiary of the African Publishing Innovation Fund.
Development practitioner
With a background in Development Studies and over six years in the public civil system, Farai works on community development in urban and rural areas, gender advocacy, community mobilisation, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, and the education and empowerment of girls.
Australia
Researcher and WSF Board of Directors, Asia and the Pacific
A Brisbane based researcher in advanced materials and manufacturing, Syeda holds Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Science degrees from The University of Queensland and completed a PhD on environmentally sustainable lead free solder alloys. An award winning STEAM advocate, she applies sustainability principles across industries.
Sri Lanka
WSF Regional Chair, Asia and the Pacific
Speaking as an Environmental Science student at the University of Colombo, President of BEEZ and Coordinator of eWisely Sri Lanka, Vihanga shared her passion for disaster risk reduction, the vulnerability of women and children to natural disasters, and her ambition to find solutions as a researcher.
Japan
Director, OYWJ, and Founder and CEO, CURIO Japan
After starting her career in international artist marketing at Sony Music Entertainment, Yuka founded CURIO Japan, which connects international students with Japanese families and helps Japanese companies globalise. She is a strong believer in the power of young generations and supports next generation leaders.
Ghana
Development practitioner and Research Assistant
Emelda has more than five years of experience in community development, administration and youth engagement. After completing her master’s degree, she became a Research Assistant on a project on small and medium enterprises, and is committed to the welfare of women, youth and society.
Nepal
New Zealand Honorary Consul to Nepal
Lisa is an author and sustainable tourism specialist, and the New Zealand Honorary Consul to Nepal. She shared her ideas on women and sustainability.
Take part
How to join the campaign
Share your voice
On 8 March, post a photo or short video with your message about women in sustainability, using #IDWisely and #WiselyForBetterFutures, and tag the Women Sustainability Forum.
Celebrate a woman
Recognise a woman who inspires you, or nominate yourself for the Exceptional Women in Sustainability Awards.
Follow and amplify
Follow the Forum on social media and share the stories of women in our network.