What is (Wichita) International Women’s Day?

The ICT IWD Fest will become Wichita’s premier Spring-time Festival! This Women’s focused festival includes live entertainment, raffles, art exhibition, educational workshops, a resource fair and locally driven vending. Funds raised at the annual Wichita International Women’s Day Festival will benefit local women’s focused non-profits, such as the Wichita Women’s Initiative Network, the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center and others.

International Women’s Day– Local Festival, Global Implications

The Wichita International Women’s Day Festival (ICT IWD Fest) is part of a global movement for change – encouraging, and empowering women to obtain safer and better futures…and to celebrate themselves in the process!

IWD is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. Many global corporations actively support IWD by running their own events and campaigns.

Our mission is

• Providing the greater Wichita area with access to information specific to women’s needs and interests, to raise awareness to issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence in relation to women
• Assisting women in developing their professional network, supporting the successful completion of their educational goals, and securing gainful employment
• Facilitating networking and educational opportunities via the festival
• Creating an annual safe space, that is a hub for art, culture, and social advancement that improves the quality of life for Women in Wichita, and Sedgwick County.

Our non-profit social service partners provide emergency housing, professional attire, interview coaching, case management and academic counseling services to women.
Our other partners are critical institutions that advance and develop professional and community networks for women to advance their work.