This Sunday is International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is “Make it happen: encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women.” To mark the occasion, there are some fantastic events running over the next few weeks. Here are a few that we like the look of, but please feel free to add to the list by sharing your local events in the comments below.
If you can’t make it to an event, join the conversation online using the hashtags #makeithappen and #IWD2015.
1-8 March, London
Now in its fifth year, the WOW Festival, held at London’s Southbank Centre, describes itself as “a festival of talks, workshops and performances celebrating women and girls”. The lineup includes debates, exhibitions, performances, networking events and much more.
1-31 March, Manchester
Manchester’s feminist festival is running for the entire month, with a fantastic lineup including exhibitions, talks, walks, performances and much more, at locations throughout the city.
The International Women’s Day ‘Trailblazing Leadership’ online events
3-6 March, around the world
The Aspire Foundation has set itself a target of helping one billion women by 2020. Join them in their quest via a series of webinars in the week leading up to International Women’s Day. The webinars will give you practical tools and ideas to achieve your biggest aspirations for life, work and the world, as well as teaching you how to stand your ground and have a voice at the leadership table.
6 March, Newcastle
An inspirational event held by Newcastle University Business School to celebrate the success of local business women.
BrainCanDo Inspiring Women event
6 March, Caversham
Aimed at students in years 7 to 13, this event aims to inspire, educate, empower and celebrate young women, preparing them and encouraging them for a future of success. Students will hear from inspiring women across a variety of business fields, each discussing their own journey and promoting a “no limits” approach to life.
7 March, Brighton
A day of workshops, talks, music, dance, children’s activities and stalls to celebrate International Women’s Day, plus a panel discussion on women’s engagement with the political process.
Women in Politics Q&A with MPs
10 March, London
Leadarise London and the Fawcett Society are running a debate on 10 March in the houses of parliament. The event will be hosted by Sky News political correspondent Anushka Asthana and will give attendees the opportunity to put questions to a panel of MPs on issues surrounding women in parliament and the gender imbalance in politics.
Women’s Empowerment Principles annual event
11 and 12 March, New York
This year, Women’s Empowerment Principles marks the twentieth anniversary of the Bejing Platform for Action. The event will bring together leaders from business, government, the UN and civil society to focus on concrete steps and actions that business can take to advance gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community. The Women in Leadership team will be running a live blog throughout the conference, so watch this space for inspiring quotes, thought-provoking debate and interviews with speakers and panelists.
Women social entrepreneurs chat show
11 March, Edinburgh
The chat show will be hosted by Claire Carpenter, founder of The Melting Pot, “Scotland’s centre for social innovation”. She will be chatting to three social entrepreneurs whose work focuses on the empowerment of women.
5x15 and the Guardian celebrate exceptional women
12 March, London
Join us to hear children’s author and illustrator Judith Kerr, historian Jung Chang, forensic anthropologist Professor Sue Black, activist Nimko Ali and DJ Annie Nightingale on their lives and careers. 5x15 brings together five brilliant speakers to talk for 15 minutes each on their passions, obsessions and adventures.
How are you celebrating International Women’s Day? Let us know in the comments below.
