One for the women ...

International Women's Day is on March 8. Here are eight things you can do to celebrate:

  1. Join an International Women's Day event. There are 181 events scheduled to take place across Australia in honour of the Centenary of International Women's Day. Find one in your area by visiting www.internationalwomensday.com/search.asp?country=13

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  2. Nominate a woman for an Order of Australia medal. On Australia Day this year, less than a third of the honours announced went to women. The reason is not that there are fewer women doing good work for Australia, but that fewer women were nominated. Find out how to get a great woman that you know nominated for an award at www.ourcommunity.com.au/honours

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  3. Drive less, fly less and buy fewer things. That's the formula that the ambassador for the 1 Million Women campaign, Bernie Hobbs, says will make a big difference to cutting down your individual contribution to C02 emissions. The 1 Million Women campaign aims to sign up 1 million women to cut one tonne each of CO2 from their output every year. Find out more at www.1millionwomen.com.au

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  4. Help make childcare tax deductible. Despite the Federal Government's moves to provide paid parental leave, the affordability of childcare remains a key issue for many Australian families. It's not a woman's issue, it's not even a family issue - it's a community issue. Sign the petition to make childcare tax deductible at www.makecarefair.com.au/makecarefair/homepage

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  5. Support the campaign for equal pay. On average Australian women are paid 18% less than men. A test case being led by the Australian Services Union, which represents tens of thousands of community sector workers, is seeking to make equal pay a reality. Find out more at www.payup.org.au

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  6. Reclaim the 'F' Word. Along with its 'Half the Sky' event, The International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) will be running a 'Reclaim the F Word' t-shirt campaign and selling t-shirts featuring the line 'This is what a feminist looks like'. To buy a shirt go to www.iwda.org.au/au and click on the 'get involved' link. (While you're at it, click here to see how a group of Sydney schoolboys is taking up the fight.)

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  7. Put your hand up for a leadership position. While women remain dominant in community organisations as volunteers and workers, only 26% of CEOs and 24% of chairs in Australia's top 50 fundraising community organisations are women. Put your hand up for a leadership position, or if you're in a position of power already, make sure women are on your list when you make new appointments.

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  8. Support women everywhere. Make a statement by making a donation to a cause that supports women. There are dozens of great causes listed on GiveNow.com.au (click here to see a list), or you can find out more about donating to women's causes by joining the Australian Women Donors Network here.