International Women’s Day 2023

International Women’s Day, takes place this week, Wednesday March8.

The day not only addresses the biases and inequalities that women face, but celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the globe. This year the theme is #EmbraceEquity.

The Women’s Association will be holding a free screening of the 2015 film, Suffragette, along with a panel discussion bringing women’s perspectives to history, voting and campaigning.

A range of events have already taken place to mark IWD at the University. An online discussion called Putting Equity into Practice took place on the March 1.

From Monday March 6 to March 10 digital screens across the University are displaying a “Wall of Women”, showing women from the University of all ages, religions and beliefs, different disabilities, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and across the gender-spectrum who do not identify as cis-men.

Other events taking place Wednesday March 8:

The PoWEr Up Networking session, is taking place at 12pm online. The session focuses on supporting women facing disadvantage across ethnic and/or socioeconomic backgrounds. The session will also look at ways to support women starting out in tech.

Nazir Afzal OBE, will share his insights into gender equity during the Fighting for Gender Equity event in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

Women in Engineering Network is set to take place in the Kilburn Building. This is an opportunity for students and staff to share their experiences across the School. Popular science books written by women will be given out.

Girls Night Out (celebrating women in science, past, present and future) will give students the chance to meet and talk to Dr Rhian Jones, Reader in Isotope Geo-and Cosmochemistry, as well as learn about influential women in science.

Chibwe Masabo Henry (she/her), CEO and co-founder of One World Together, will discuss her experiences as a Social Entrepreneur. Chibwe has been nominated as one of the Top 100 successful African business leaders in the UK by the African Business Chamber Top 100 initative.

Other events taking place throughout the month include:

Equity at Manchester  (March 9), an online event led by Paul Marks-Jones (Lead EDI Partner) and Rachel Cowen (Academic Lead for Gender and Sexual Orientation Equality), aimed at raising awareness of barriers of equity. They will lead a discussion about the different ways you can make a positive difference.

The Girl Boss Equity Festival is taking place on March 9, 5-9pm at St Peter’s House. This festival encourages women to do Boss, not be Boss. Headline acts include Feminist Storytelling and Live Music. Food will be provided by West African vegan chef Gwafuvegan.  Developing Dignity will be holding “Strong. Fierce. Feminist.” sessions for those aged 7-11.

Somos Mujeres will take place March 16 4-7pm at Manchester Central Library. The event, run by Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust and SomosCR, will share the experience of Latin American women.

The Somos Mujeres event will be held at Manchester Central Library, with live music from Mestisa and food from La Bandera. The event is free but booking is still required.

Events are also taking place across Manchester. The Walk for Women march, took place on Saturday March 4, saw hundreds of women and supporters walk from Manchester Cathedral to St Peter’s Square.

A range of city-wide events are set to take place throughout the week including guest speakers, community meals and art, craft and music displays