International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated every year on March 8th to mark the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, honour them, and make them feel important. The theme for this year was “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”, and to take a stand with all by using the hashtag #InvestInWomen.”. This theme encompasses the global demand for uniting together to transform challenges into opportunities and shape a better future for all. As every year, this year also, the Department of Obstetric and Gynecological (OBG) Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) conducted various interactive sessions and outreach programs for women, mothers, and adolescents.

On March 11, 2024, interactive sessions were arranged for all the adolescent college students at the ECR Group of Institutions, Achlady, Brahmavara. A total of 46 students and 3 faculty members participated in the program with great enthusiasm. The interactive sessions were deliberated by Ms. Joyce Sangeetha, a research scholar from the department of OBG Nursing, MCON, MAHE, who spoke on ‘anaemia in girls and women and its management’, Ms. Seelia Peter, a research scholar from MCON, MAHE, Manipal deliberated a session on 'ageism'; and Mrs Shobha, a faculty member of the department of OBG Nursing, MCON, MAHE, spoke on menstrual health’. The participants well took the program and the school teachers and the authorities appreciated and felicitated the resource persons.

An outreach program was also conducted on March 12, 2024, at Anganwadi, Adarsh Nagar, Manipal. A total of 12 mothers and their under-five children and two staff members of the Anganwadi actively participated in the program. Mrs. Sweety Fernandes, faculty member of the department of OBG Nursing, MCON, MAHE, spoke on “How women can be empowered,"  highlighting the aspects of how women can become financially independent by starting their own startups on the small scale first and then achieving good results to expand. Mrs. Ranjani, another faculty member of the department of OBG Nursing, MCON, MAHE, deliberated on “Benefits of Reflexology for Women.”. She emphasized how reflexology, which is cost-effective and non-invasive and can be practiced by anyone with a little awareness about it could be used for managing various minor ailments that usually occur in women. A few fun games were also conducted for the women, and prizes were distributed. The program was well appreciated by the participants.

An article on “Diversity & Inclusion: Women's Role as Leaders,” authored by Dr. Maria Pais, a faculty member of the Department of OBG Nursing, MCON, MAHE, was published in Daiji World magazine on March 8, 2024.

On March 17, 2024, Deanery-level Woman's Day was celebrated by the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) in St. Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Karkala, inviting all the Catholic women of Karkala Deanery. The president of ICYM welcomed everyone, followed by a guest talk by Mrs. Sweety J Fernandes, faculty member of the department of OBG Nursing, MCON, MAHE, on the role of women in society and at home. Speaking on the Women’s Day theme, she deliberated on the importance of valuing oneself and forging one's own identity for women not only in society but at home as well. She also emphasized how equality is important for both men and women in society as well as at home. The women appreciated the talk and clarified their doubts. Over 150 women, including youth (both boys and girls), participated in the program. Following this session, a dance and cultural program ensued. The youth of Karkala also conducted some games. All appreciated the efforts to conduct this program and the program was well appreciated by the participants.

The activities conducted by these programs contributed to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

- SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.

- SDG 5: Gender equality

- SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities