We know everyone isn't able to attend our official International Women's Day events but there are plenty of other ways you can help us accelerate the progress of women and girls around the world.
This year, join us in solidarity by hosting your own #MyIWDLunch
My IWD Lunch is a simple way for you to support a cause you believe in, fundraise and have a great time with friends, loved ones or colleagues over a fabulous lunch.
Anyone can host an IWD Lunch – at home, at the park, at school, in the office or even online!
How it Works
Register your #MyIWDLunch and set up your dedicated fundraising page
Check your inbox for the #MyIWDLunch Host Kit brimming with recipes from celebrity chefs, fundraising tips and lunch planning resources
IWD is officially on Friday, 8 March, but you can pick a date anytime in February or March to host your lunch, then invite your friends and start planning!
Throw a successful lunch, eat well and raise funds
Why Host
#MyIWDLunch?
This IWD, we come together under the theme Count Her In.
Women’s economic empowerment and independence is central to a gender equal world. When women are given equal opportunities to learn, earn and lead – entire communities thrive.
The Gender Snapshot 2023 by United Nations has reported $360 billion per year is needed to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. At the current rate of progress, the next generation of women will still spend on average 2.3 more hours per day on unpaid care and domestic work than men.
IWD is an opportunity to use our voices to demand world leaders that women and girls are given equal opportunity to build their capabilities and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn and lead.
When you support UN Women Australia by hosting your own #MyIWDLunch, every dollar you raise will make a real difference through funding programs and initiatives that support women’s economic empowerment and drive positive change on a global scale.
Kirsten Tibballs
Meet Kirsten Tibballs, our #MyIWDLunch Ambassador.
We are thrilled to have Kirsten Tibballs, proclaimed by MasterChef Australia as ‘The Queen of Chocolate’, join us in advocating and raising funds for women’s financial freedom and equality. Kirsten is one of the country's most celebrated and internationally acclaimed pastry chefs and chocolatiers.
With a desire to share her knowledge with other passionate food lovers and professional chefs, Kirsten established Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School in Melbourne in 2002. While Kirsten’s heart beats for chocolate and patisserie, her dedication to supporting and empowering women holds equal importance.
“Women need to be highlighted for their skills and passion in each and every workplace. Ensuring that women feel empowered, safe, equal, and supported in every industry is something I hold close to my heart. When women have the opportunity to contribute fully, it improves every aspect of our society”.
Through her work, Kirsten is changing the landscape of the industry and paving the way for more women every day to follow in her footsteps.
Celebrity Chefs
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to host My IWD Lunch?
Register
your event and follow the step by step form to create your personal fundraising page.
Do I have to hold my lunch on a certain date?
IWD is celebrated worldwide on Friday 8 March, but you can hold your lunch anytime in February or March.
Who can host a My IWD Lunch?
Anyone can! Whether you are a high school student and you want to have a picnic lunch with your friends or a café owner and you want to host a ticketed lunch, holding a #MyIWDLunch is accessible to anyone and everyone.
Where do my fundraised dollars go?
The funds you raise will go directly towards UN Women programs and initiatives that are actively working to accelerate progress and break the cycle of inequality for women and girls across 102 countries around the world.
Visit the UN Women Australia website to find out more about the work we do.
How do I ask people to donate?
Don’t be afraid to ask! People often don’t donate to charities simply because they haven’t been asked. When you invite your friends and family to your lunch, tell them why the cause is important to you and remind them that any amount, small or large counts. You can include the link or QR code for your fundraising page with your invites or ask them to bring a donation to the lunch.
How do I use my QR code to get donations?
Once you register, log in to your fundraising dashboard and you will be able to download your personal QR code. You can send this out with your invites or print to display at your lunch so that you can have a cashless event. Your guests will simply be able to scan the QR code using their phone camera and will be taken directly to your online fundraising page.
What do I do if I receive cash donations?
It is best to use your online fundraising link to fundraise, but if you do receive any cash or cheque donations, you can deposit the money into your bank account and then donate directly onto your page using your credit card.
Simply enter the donations via your Fundraising Dashboard under “My Donations” and the donations will appear on your fundraising page and the total amount raised on your page will then reflect the funds you raised offline.
How do I get tax receipts for people who donate?
All donations made online through your fundraising page will receive a tax receipt via email.
