Whether it’s congresswoman wearing “suffragette white” to the recent State of the Union address or Serena Williams encouraging women to “dream crazier” in her latest empowering advert for Nike, it’s clear there's still a long way to go until we live in a gender-balanced society.
On Sunday 8 March, women and men around the world will come together to celebrate International Women’s Day – a day dedicated to championing women’s achievements and challenging gender bias.
This year, the day’s campaign theme is #BalanceforBetter which is a call-to-action for driving gender balance around the world.
And what better way to make trend than at a grass roots level in your local community?
To honour the day, women and men are hosting a range of events championing womanhood ranging from gigs, panel discussion and exhibitions to feminist walks and yoga classes.
In celebration of the day, we’ve compiled a go-to guide to the most inspiring feminist events in the UK so you can make practical steps to making a positive difference for women.
March
Spirit Forward
Making its debut in the UK from the US, Spirit Forward is a one-day event based on the theme “You Don’t Need to be in Charge to Lead”, centred on the belief that in order to be a changemaker, you must recognise you already are one.
Speakers at the event, which is an initiative by alcohol brand Bacardi in partnership with change agents S.H.E Summit, include writer and columnist Fatima Bhutto, social activist Gina Martin and Chair of the UN Women National Committee Laura Haynes and many more.
Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to Dress For Success Greater London - a registered charity that empowers women into the workplace.
London; £48; 4 March; Find out more here.
Imaginary Millions International Women’s Day Special
Sit down with a drink and listen to a group of rappers, singers, and poets come together for a night celebrate women. From a spoken word artist opening up about the music they’ve never heard, to tunes by Lauryn Hill and Left Eye played by the The Book Club’s all-womxn house band, this will be a auditory night not to be missed.
London; £5; 6 March. Over 18s. Find out more here.
HEaRd
Music venue Oporto in Leeds is hosting an intimate gig showcasing the city’s female talent in celebration of International Women's Day.
The all-female fronted line-up includes musicians Tamzene who counts Aretha Franklin and Alicia Keys as inspiration, pop-folk duo Sunflower Thieves, and frontman Lilly Fontaine FRANK.
Leeds, £5, 7 March. Find out more here.
gal-dem's International Women's Weekender
To celebrate International Women’s Day, online and print magazine gal-dem is hosting a series of workshops, talks and event.
On Friday, guests are invited to share five-minute long stories about womanhood and themselves, before musician Nadine Artois of Pxssy Palace will provide the tunes late into the evening.
On Saturday, the event will see athlete Kim Ngo, author Candice Carty-Williams, gal-dem's art director Leyla Reynolds and London based artist and astrologer Marissa Malik discuss a range of topics from representation in sport, arts, and media. Rounding off the weekender on Sunday, attendees have the choice of a yoga class, a mindfulness workshop, and a life art therapy session.
London; Tickets start at £5.92; 8 March. Find out more here.
WOW: Women of the World Festival
Nine years after its launch, the Women of the World (WOW) festival returns this year to celebrate women and girls across the globe, coinciding with International Women’s Day 2019.
The two-day event will see political activist Angela Davis and author and filmmaker Naomi Klein take to the stage, as well as talks and workshops looking at gender politics and the barriers preventing women and girls from finding true equality.
London; Prices vary; 8-9 March. Find out more information here.
Tech(k)now Day
It’s a well-known (and disheartening) fact that women are under-represented in the STEM sector.
So, that’s why Tech(k)now day has been created a space for women to learn new tech skills and gain tech startup advice. Better still, if you’re a woman founder or woman co-founder of a startup, you’re entitled to apply for a free exhibition space. Expect workshops on Python, Android 101, Javascript, and beginner HTML/CSS.
London; £35-99; 9 March. Find out more information here.
malady mag's Inclusion Conversation
The makers behind online and print magazine malady mag invite you to an inclusive book club experience like no other in a bid to normalise the inclusion of disabled people in cultural conversations.
The magazine – which explores chronic pain, illness and disability – is taking up residency as part of the Science Gallery's SPARE PARTS exhibition. During the event, a range of disabled readers, including BME women and non-binary people, will share their critical perspectives on lived experience of disability.
The afternoon will also focus on accessibility, providing bean bags, cushions and yoga mats to welcome visitors. An inclusive conversation will follow the readings, discussing how we should redesign society for disabled people.
London; free; 9 March. Find out more here.
Votes for Women
Marking the centenary of women’s enfranchisement, the Museum of London is hosting an exhibition commemorating the women who campaigned over 50 years to achieve votes for women. Iconic objects from the Museum’s vast Suffragette collection, including Emmeline Pankhurst’s hunger strike medal, will be on display, as well as a documentary about the lives of some lesser-known suffragettes.
London; free; until 10 March. Find out more here.
Women Who Shaped Manchester
Shedding light on some of the most important women from Manchester who helped transform the future of women’s suffrage, the John Rylands Library's exhibition perfectly captures the individuals’ passion and strength. Read Emmeline Pankhurst’s inspiring letter that called to those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of equality, and admire the scroll presented to Enriqueta Rylands, the first freewoman of the City of Manchester.
Manchester; free; until 10 March. Find out more here.
Black Power Women of Brixton walk
Women’s role in the fight for black civil and equal rights in Britain has been severely marginalised. This walk through Brixton, London will show the life, stories, and activities of numerous African/Caribbean women in the area. Documenting the anti-racist fight in housing, education and politics from the 1950's to the 1980's, the two hour and 15 minute walk will cover newspaper publisher and campaigner Claudia Jones, the Depo Provera birth control scandal, the Black Panther Women of Brixton and more.
London; £10; 10 March. Find out more here.
WOMAN Exhibition
Former underground artist Stephen Acosta is to host his first major exhibition celebrating feminism and women of colour through oil portraiture following a career working in anonymity.
The installation will explore the social injustices he has witnessed on his recent travels around the world when it comes to the representation of women.
Speaking of his inspiration behind the event, Acosta says: ‘Oil portraits line the halls of everywhere from galleries to universities; and if a woman is featured at all it’s for her beauty.
“I wanted to explore my own biases and open up a dialogue on the significance of portraiture and how I as a male artist can lend my skillset to exploring these spaces.”
London; prices start at £11.25; 11-13 March. Find out more here.
International Women’s Day Yoga
To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day theme "Balance For Better", four female yoga teachers are teaming up to explore the notion of balance with a Vinyasa flow yoga session.
All proceeds from the gender-inclusive class, which will take place at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen by yogis Debs, Fred, Fran and Vix, will be donated to Ourmala: Healing Yoga for Refugees, Asylum-seekers and Displaced People, based in East London.
London; £15; 12 March. Find out more here.
NYALitFest - Feminism & Fantasy Panel
The Northern YA Literary Festival invites authors Samantha Shannon, Laure Eve, Melinda Salisbury and Rose Edwards to discuss the world of feminist fantasy.
Expect conversations surrounding gender inequality and sexuality.
Preston; Free; 16 March. Find out more here.
A Feminist’s Guide to Dinosaurs
Mix your passion for gender equality and palaeontology at The Big Art Herstory Project’s guided tour at London’s Natural History Museum.
From Mary Ann Woodhouse Mantell, a competitor for the first discoverer of the first dinosaur, to the first known black geologist Marguerite Thomas Williams, visitors will learn about the pioneering women barred from the Geological Society and the ongoing battles women in the industry continue to face.
An afternoon drawing class will also be led by resident feminist drawing tutor, Luisa-Maria MacCormack, who will guide participants through artistic exercises such as drawing from textures, layers, and fossils.
London; £32.03; until 16 March. Find out more here.
Stories Of Women 2019
As part of Women's History Month, Southwark Cathedral invites you to enjoy a day of talks exploring women’s history. Author Jennifer Potter will explore the true stories of young English women traded for tobacco in early Virginia, while writer Naomi Clifford will touch on the hanging of Eliza Fenning following a controversial poisoning trial.
London; £10-12.50; 23 March. Find out more here.
Women Power Protest
Celebrate a plethora of contemporary female artists who explore protest, social commentary and identity in their work at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery this March.
Featuring the works of Susan Hiller and Lubaina Himid as well as more controversial artists such as Sam Taylor-Johnson and Sonia Boyce, the exhibition examines both the difficult and genius behind their artworks.
Birmingham; free; until 31 March. Find out more here.
