March Equality and Diversity Calendar 2024

As March ushers in spring, many religions observe significant holidays. For several religions, these observances also involve periods of fasting and dietary restrictions. It is important that employers recognize that this may affect employees’ energy levels, and participating in group meals during this time may present challenges. SHRM provides a valuable toolkit for Navigating Religious Beliefs in the Workplace

• March 8 – Maha Shivarati (Hindu): a day of great importance to devotees of the Hindu god Shiva. People celebrate by fasting for a whole day and staying awake all night. Followed by a day of festival.
• March 10 – Ramadan begins (Islam): The arrival of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, brings forth a month of fasting, praying, and reflection. For more information on supporting employees in the workplace during Ramadan, click HERE for excellent resources from SHRM
•  March 23 – Purim (Jewish): This holiday celebrates the rescue of Jews by Esther from a plot to kill them. Fasting the day before Purim honors the fasting of Esther before her plea to the king for the Jewish people.
• March 24 – Palm Sunday (Christian):  marks the first day of Holy Week; in Western Christianity, this is the beginning of the last week of the solemn season of Lent, the 40 days preceding Easter
• March 25 – Holi (Hindu) This Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring is an important Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It also celebrates the arrival of Spring and the blossom of love and hopes for a good harvest.
• March 29– Good Friday (Christian): the Friday before Easter, the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• March 31 – Easter (Christian): Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion and the end of the 40-day Lent period.

Women’s History Month, which highlights contributions that women have made in history and in society. It is celebrated every March to correspond with International Women’s Day on March 8. This global holiday is celebrated as a means to bring gender issues to the forefront such as reproductive rights, violence against women, and equal pay. Gender related observances this month include:

• Gender Equality Month
•  March 8 – International Women’s Day
• March 14 – Equal Pay Day
• March 31 – International Transgender Day of Visibility

March also is a month for increased awareness of many health-related issues such as:

• National Colon Cancer Awareness Month
• National Kidney Month
• National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness and Education Month
• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
• March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day: This global day of awareness can be supported by wearing fun socks, which is a tradition that started because Chromosome 21 strands look like socks and are unique looking.

Other Month-long observances:

• Ethnic Equality Month
• Greek-American Heritage Month
• Irish-American Heritage Month
  • March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

Important March DE&I calendar dates:

• March 1 – Employee Appreciation Day
• March 2 – Granting of U.S. Citizenship to Puerto Ricans: On this date, Congress passed the Jones Act, which gave Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship and the right to elect representatives to the House and Senate.
• March 10 – Harriet Tubman’s Birthday (Observed): This American abolitionist helped others gain freedom as a conductor of the Underground Railroad. She also served as a spy, scout, guerrilla soldier, and nurse for the Union in the Civil War despite only being paid $200.
•  March 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade