Happy International women's day! International Women's Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. Raising our daughters today is important to encourage them to always stay strong and aware of our capabilities as women. The relationship between our daughters is extremely important. This bond and deep relationship has a major impact on her self-esteem, self-worth, identity, and ability to form additional bonds with individuals in her family and life. On this special day we celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality. Here are some ways we can bring awareness and connect with our daughters on International women's day. 

1. Share the importance of women and gender equality in Islam within quotes and hadiths 

Women in Islam play a major part within all of our lives. The Holy Quran teaches us that Adam and Eve were created from the same soul; both equally guilty, equally responsible and equally valued. As Muslims, we believe that all human beings are born in a pure state, men and women and that we must strive to preserve this purity through faith, as well as good intentions and deeds. 

“The men believers and the women believers are responsible for each other. They enjoin the good and forbid the evil, they observe prayers and give charitable alms and obey God and his Prophet.” (Qur’an, 9:71)

 “To whoever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, we shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions.” (16:97)

2. Wear the colour Purple - Clothing and Hijabs 

Purple is the colour of gender equality internationally. From 1908, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in Great Britain adopted the colour scheme of purple white and green to symbolize the plight of the Suffragettes. Purple symbolizes justice and dignity, two values strongly associated with women’s equality. We can wear this colour within our clothing and hijabs! 

3. Be a Positive Role Model for Our Daughters 

To spread a more day to day positive message about International Womens Day it is important to be a positive role model to our daughters and children. Our daughters notice and observe more than we think. Our children pick up the majority of their characteristics from us as parents. As moms, our daughters come to us for guidance, wisdom, direction, and comfort. Teach them about the meaning behind International Womens Day, our religion and the importance of women in Islam. 

4. Join an after school Islamic Sisters Mentor program

Our daughters are the future, they are the young generation who are going to make a difference in the world. As mothers we play an important role in our daughters lives. Seeking and joining an after school Womens program can help our daughters in different areas where we might not always reach. 

Womens in Leadership Foundation - A mentor program located in Downtown, Toronto called Women In Leadership Foundation (WIL) that delivers inspirational programs that bring women together to collaborate in the development of their leadership skills & creates positive change in the future of women’s leadership.

Sisters Studies - An Islamic studies mentor program located in Downtown, Toronto that helps and encourages young women learn about our religion Islam. This resource provides opportunity to succeed despite where they’ve come from or what barrier they’ve faced.

Annisaaa Organization of Canda - A Islamic mentorship program located in North York that provide a five-month Mentorship Program matches rising star young Muslim women and girls with women mentors from diverse industries from the business community to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and propel career advancement.

5. Read About Muslim Female Empowerment with our daughters 

Women's empowerment is when we promote women's sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others. In Islam women pay a major and important role within all of our lives. Sections of the Holy Quran used to equate women's power and are meaningful within our everyday lives. Here some female politicians in Islam who have broken stereotypes and empower women all over the world! 

Megawati Sukarnoputri - An Indonesian politician who served as the fifth president of Indonesia.

Massouda Jalal - The first woman in the history of Afghanistan who ran for the Office of the President of Afghanistan in 2002, and again in 2004. 

Lala Shevket - An Azerbaijani politician, the Leader of the National Unity Movement and Azerbaijan Liberal Party. She served as the Secretary of State.  

Here are some inspirational books on Women Empowerment we can read with our daughters to help them understand the amount of power and strength us females have and what we are capable of! 

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad - This book is very well known within our children today empowering and going into the story of a hijab and family. In this book It's the start of a brand new year and revolves around two sisters. This book revolves around the importance of the hijab and how powerful it makes the family feel.

Show Up: A Motivational Message for Muslim Women by Na'ima B Robert - In this book, the author Na’ima goes through her personal story, and the stories of the women around our Prophet ﷺ, how resilience, patience, gratitude, trust in Allah, and a shift of perspective are what it takes to change our story from a victim to a hero.

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed - Amal Unbound is a middle-grade novel which touches on weighty issues like equality in education, classism and women empowerment. This book is a great read to help educate and empower our daughters in many ways.