International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8th, is a global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity worldwide. In Southeast Asia, IWD 2025 promises impactful events highlighting the region’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. These events offer platforms for discussions, networking, and the celebration of women’s contributions across various sectors.
The theme for IWD 2025, “For ALL Women and Girls: Equality. Rights. Empowerment” emphasizes the transformative role of youth in driving innovation to achieve gender equality. This theme resonates deeply in Southeast Asia, a region rich in cultural diversity and dynamic growth, where women continue to play pivotal roles in shaping societies and economies.
As the date approaches, several organizations and institutions across Southeast Asia have curated events to commemorate this significant day. These events range from conferences and panel discussions to cultural festivals and workshops, each designed to inspire, educate, and mobilize participants toward collective action for women’s rights.
Below is a curated list of notable IWD 2025 events taking place in Southeast Asia:
Asia-Pacific Regional Commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025
Jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and UN Women, this event focuses on the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Equality. Rights. Empowerment.” It celebrates the leadership and creativity of young people in advancing sustainable and inclusive development, particularly in the green, digital, and care economies.
- Location: United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC – BKK), Bangkok, Thailand
- Date and Time: March 6, 2025, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Asia/Bangkok Time)
- Registration: Interested participants can register through the official event page on the United Nations’ Indico platform.
Founders-Investor Connect
The FIC event, the first of its kind in Malaysia specifically for female founders, underscores WORQ’s commitment to empowering women in entrepreneurship. The event will feature three segments, including the flagship Founders-Investor Connect and two insightful panel sessions.
The Founders-Investor Connect event will act as an exclusive platform empowering female founders by providing direct access to up to 8 venture capitalists (VCs) actively seeking innovative startups. Supporting 30 pre-seed, seed-stage, ideation-stage and growth-stage startups, the event will offer one-on-one sessions for founders to pitch their ideas, gain feedback and explore funding opportunities. Each pre-selected startup will have the chance to meet up to 4 VCs, with 6 minutes per session to make a compelling case for their business.
- Location: WORQ Sunway Velocity, Level 12, Sunway V2 Tower, 158, Jalan Peel, Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
- Date and Time: 7th March 2025, 4pm to 7pm (Asia/Kuala Lumpur Time)
- Registration: Interested attendees can visit WORQ’s website to attend
International Women’s Day 2025 – WIMAR SG
Hosted by Women in Mining and Resources Singapore (WIMAR SG), this event brings together professionals from the mining and resources sector to discuss challenges and opportunities for women in the industry. The gathering aims to foster networking and share success stories to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
- Location: Raffles Hotel, Singapore
- Date and Time: March 6, 2025, Time to be announced
- Registration: Tickets and additional information are available on the Eventbrite page.
International Women’s Day and Gender Month 2025: Marching Together
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) commemorates IWD 2025 with the theme “Marching Together: Promoting Positive Masculinity for Gender Equality.” This event aims to engage men and boys as allies in the pursuit of gender equality, challenging traditional norms and promoting positive masculinity.
- Location: Asian Development Bank Headquarters, Manila, Philippines
- Date and Time: March 6, 2025, Specific time to be confirmed
- Registration: Details and registration information can be found on the ADB’s official website.
International Women’s Festival – Women Shaping Tomorrow
This festival celebrates women’s contributions to various fields, including arts, technology, and entrepreneurship. The event features panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions that highlight women’s impact on shaping the future.
- Location: Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
- Date and Time: March 6, 2025, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Registration: Attendees can register through the International Women’s Day Event List.
International Women’s Day Celebrations 2025
Organized by the IEEE Power & Energy Society Singapore Chapter, this event honors the achievements of women in engineering. It features an empowering talk by Ms. Roxanne Lek, a Chartered Marine Engineer and Newcastle University alumna, sharing her journey and insights into the industry.
- Location: Lecture Theatre 2B, Singapore Institute of Technology @ Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore
- Date and Time: March 6, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- Registration: Participants can find more information and register on the IEEE Singapore PES website.
These events exemplify the diverse and dynamic approaches Southeast Asian communities are taking to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025. By participating in these events, individuals can contribute to the ongoing dialogue and efforts toward achieving gender equality in the region.
As the global community comes together to honor the achievements of women and advocate for their rights, Southeast Asia stands out with its vibrant and committed participation in IWD 2025. These events not only celebrate the progress made but also serve as a reminder of the work that still lies ahead in the quest for true equality and empowerment for all women and girls.
