1 March
The day celebrates the right of everyone to live a full and productive life – and live it with dignity. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change. More information...
8 March
A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”.
UN Women, Australia has more information about this year’s celebration on their website. More information...
17 March (3rd Thursday in March every year)
The campaign seeks to close the gap in health and life expectancy outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
See ANTAR’s website to take the pledge, donate or register an activity. More information...
18 March (date varies)
World Sleep Day (the Friday before the northern hemisphere vernal equinox) is an annual event organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society since 2008.
The goal is to celebrate the benefits of good and healthy sleep and to draw society’s attention to the burden of sleep problems and their medical, educational, and social aspects, and to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders. More information...
21 March (date varies with countries)
Naw Ruz is the Baha’i New Year festival, marking the first day in the Baha’i calendar. It falls at the spring equinox, although it has been fixed on 21 March for countries outside the Middle East. It also marks the end of the 19-day Baha’i Fast and symbolises the new life of spring. Work is suspended on this day.
Photo: Picasa Web Albums/Wikimedia Commons CC3.0
21 March
On this day, people all around the world celebrate the lives and achievements of people with Down syndrome. March 21st provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome around the world.
Each year Down Syndrome International creates a new official #LotsOfSocks design, and the socks are sold to raise awareness and to raise vital funds so that they may continue their work supporting people with Down syndrome around the world. More information...
Photo: Tama Leaver/Flickr CC2.0
21 March
Also known as ‘End racism day’, it is ‘observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960’. More information...
Photo: Public Services International/Flickr CC2.0
21-29 March
Cultural Diversity Week features a program of festivals and events highlighting Victoria’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity. Cultural Diversity Week is held in March to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Harmony Day on 21 March. More information...
27 March (to evening of 4 April)
Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses.
31 March
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising trans and gender diverse experiences and achievements. More information...
Photo: Ted Eytan CC4.0