It’s International Women’s Day Today! And our boroughs are celebrating throughout the week with a stellar line-up of music, talks, exhibitions and more to honour women from all walks of life.
This year the theme is #BreakTheBias, calling to imagine a gender-equal world.
Whilst some of the events this week may be limited to women and non-binary people only, most celebrations are open to all.
From activists to writers, mothers, daughters, and local legends, the events will highlight the extraordinary impact women have on our communities. Explore the events and consider some of the iconic women that have inspired you in your life. Enjoy!
Newington Green Meeting House: Women and Work
This event is the fifth edition from the series “Women and work: past and present”, where historians, activists and professionals discuss working today. The panellists will be Feride Kumbasar, women’s activist and P.H.D candidate at the University of Roehampton; Laura Sercombe, Chief Executive of Girls Friendly Society; Stacy Makishi, Hawaiian-born performance artist, teacher, director and mentor and Mary-Ann Stephenson, Director of the Women’s Budget Group.
When: Tuesday Mar 8, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Online event (Hosted by Newington Green Meeting House)
Cost: Free (or donation)
Solace Women’s Aid: Powerful Together
An evening of celebration! Featuring an art exhibition created by survivors and supported by Solace and a panel discussion on the theme of young women’s safety. The line-up for the discussion will be: Host Zara Janjua, Journalist and Presenter and panellists Aaliyah Ali, Founder of Daddyless Daughters, Maya Tutton, Founder of Our Streets Now, Rehema Muthamaia, Miss England.
When: Wednesday Mar 9, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
Cost: £5.98 – £32.93
Grow Hackney Wick: WXMB 2
A collective of D.J. ‘s will be playing disco, funk, baile funk, bass, afro house and reggaeton for the WXMB 2 event celebrating International Women’s Day. WXMB2 or Womxn of Music Business is a community of womxn tackling inequality in the music industry. The kitchen will be open until 10 pm, serving a predominantly plant-based menu with punchy Middle Eastern and Southern Mediterranean Flavours. Come along for a dance to hear some of the best ladies on the scene.
When: Friday Mar 11, 8:00pm – 2:00am
Where: Grow Hackney Wick, Main Yard, 98C Wallis Road, London E9 5LN
Cost: Free before 9:00pm, £5 after 9:00pm, £6 per person for table reservations
SHEroes of Lewisham
SHEroes is a poetry project led by Lewisham poet Laila Sumpton. Local poets workshopped with children at Lewisham Primary School to produce a series of portraits, films and poems inspired by the women of Lewisham. The work is being toured at local Lewisham Libraries.
When/Where:
- Albany Theatre Saturday March 5, 1:30pm-2:20pm
- Lewisham Shopping Centre March 8 – 13 March exhibition during opening hours
- Downham Library March 8 – March 12. Family poetry workshop, Saturday March 12 11:00am-1:00pm
Cost: Free
Noras of Lewisham
Nora’s of Lewisham is a participatory public art project celebrating the ‘extraordinary in the ordinary lives of diverse women in Lewisham’. Culminated through the artistic collaboration of artist Belén L.Yáñez and architect Cristina Villalonga, Nora’s will include a series of workshops, an exhibition and interventions in public spaces.
When: Mar 2 to Mar 27
Where: Migration Museum, Unit 11, Lewisham Shopping Centre, London, SE13 7HB
Cost: Free
Lewisham Services for Women and Girls
Hosted by the Mayoresses of Lewisham, this event will be a drop-in afternoon spotlighting domestic, health and employment services for women and girls in Lewisham. The afternoon will include a line-up of conversations from Athena (Lewisham Branch of Refuge), Marsha Phoenix Memorial Trust, WE Women, Beleve, IWKRO and Bank of Things. The event will be accepting unopened personal care products to donate to local organisations.
When: Saturday Mar 12, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: London Borough of Culture unit (opposite H&M), Lewisham Shopping Centre, Molesworth Street, London, SE13 7HB
Cost: Free. No need to book. Just drop in!
The Life and Times of Una Marson
Una Marson was a women’s rights and pan-Africanism campaigner, feminist, nationalist, broadcaster and writer. She was the first black woman to be employed by the BBC during the second world war. This will be a talk to celebrate Marson, touching on the lessons we can learn from her remarkable life.
When: Tue Mar 8, 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Stanley Arts: Gals Fest
Stanley Arts are hosting four music events this week to celebrate international women’s day. This incredible line-up of female acts will range from a young talent showcase to RnB, neo-soul and a jam that showcases women in jazz. It will be a fun and vibrant weekend! Welcome and open to all.
Where: Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB
Details:
Thu Mar 10, 8:00pm Int Women’s Day jam, £6
Fri Mar 11, 8:00pm, Queen Colobus and Hannah Rodríguez, £5
Sat Mar 12, 3:00pm, Young Talent Showcase, £12
Sat Mar 12, 8:00pm, Tomorrow’s Warriors presents Allexa Nava, Amy Gadiaga and Isobella Burnham £12
Tickets and more information here
Pop-Up Market: #BreaktheBias
This weekend, a pop-up market is happening at Whitgift Shopping Centre, supporting small businesses for International Women’s Day. The market will be run by @abrighterhealthpopupmarket, a cooperative providing a space for African Caribbean business owners. There will be goods ranging from home accessories, hair and skin products, natural supplements, stationery and more.
Where: Whitgift Shopping Centre, Whitgift Square, 21 North End, Croydon, CR0 1TY
When: Saturday Mar 12, 12:00pm – 6:00pm and Sunday Mar 13, 11:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: Free
Tower Hamlets Council Activity Programme
Tower Hamlets Council is hosting a week-long programme of community activities to celebrate cultural wellbeing and togetherness.
Activities include:
- tournaments walking netball
- badminton
- basketball
- football
- aerobics
- body conditioning
- swimming
- circuits
- bamboo massage
- nails
- virtual wellbeing sessions – Pilates
- self-defence and more
When: Sun Mar 6 – Sat Mar 12, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Cost: Some are free and some you have to pay for
Download the programme of activities to find out what’s going on and complete the form to register your interest.
Women’s History Photo Month Show
This exhibition, including images by women photographers, will include portraits of women’s lives and pictures of women at work, demonstrations, home, performances, sport, play, and celebrations. Artists include Sarah Ainslie, Enza Ascione Ash, Samantha Brown, Hattie Collins, Jacqui Ennis Cole, Julie Cook, Mary Lynne Ellis, Gweniver Exton, Four Corners, Fran Hales, Jenny Lewis, Farlon Rahamon, Holly Revell, Anna Sherbany, Krystina Stimkovits, Mary Thompson.
Where: The Brady Art Gallery, Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU
When: Fri Mar 4 – Thu Mar 31, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Cost: Free
Mohila Ongon: International Women’s Day
This free event will be a mini-festival of sorts hosted by Mohila Ongon, a grassroots organisation presenting women from ethnic minorities, predominantly Bangladeshi. The day will be packed with live music, drama, dance, confidence building workshops, Zumba, henna, makeup, massage, games, therapy, children’s art activities and face painting. There will also be a free lunch for the first 200 people of the day.
Where: Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU
When: Sun Mar 31, 11:00am – 17:00pm
Cost: Free
