Stockport celebrates International Women’s Day

Join thousands of women around the world – Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th 

This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias – women around the world are coming together to campaign for a gender equal world. A world free of bias, discrimination and stereotypes, where everyone is valued equally and diversity is celebrated. Collectively, women around the world can work together to #BreakTheBias.

Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. Collectively, we can #BreakTheBias and work together to change opinions in our communities, in our workplaces, in our schools, colleges and universities.

Celebrating International Women’s Day in Stockport

This year International Women’s Day on 8 March is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements and recognise the ongoing contribution of women in Greater Manchester.

Cllr Amanda Peers, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods, said:

“International Women’s Day recognises the contribution of the region’s women across many sectors.

“Throughout the pandemic, women have often had extra responsibilities and have proved again and again that they are resilient, powerful, and inspirational. As we continue to challenge inequality, we will continue to see change.”

There are lots of events and activities worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements and Stockport is no different. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, including:

Starting Point launch of menopause policy 
Our friends at Starting Point are launching their menopause policy with a Q&A session on all things working with the menopause. Join them in the Start Point café to ask your questions. If you can’t join in person, they’re also hosting the Q&A live on Facebook!

Pure Innovations Cafe Giveaway – 1 free flower shortbread for all women customers, and a free craft pack for children, containing information on history of women’s rights and a list of books, films, writers and other women of today, with fun activities and a colour sheet hand drawn by a client at the Pure Innovations art studio.

Cycle for Smart Works – Smart Works is celebrating International Women’s Day with their new major fund-raising campaign. Cycle for Smart Works is set to raise much needed funds so that women across Greater Manchester can have access to support them into employment.

8 Talks from 8 Women by the Goodness Collective – 8 free online events covering topics from social action to digital skills to bullet journaling. Events co-ordinated and delivered with a range of Stockport VCSE and local business partner support by The Goodness Collective CIC.

Northern Power Women Live – NPWLive is a half day online event to amplify voices and support emerging talent as well as creating a directory of bitesize video content offering insight and inspiration across the backdrop of the IWD theme, Choose to Challenge.

Yaran Northwest art exhibition – showcasing refugee art, Iranian refreshments available. Friday 11 March 11am – 2pm. Contact parvin@yarannorthwest.com to book

IWD Swing at Stockport Central Library – an afternoon of female empowerment, self-care, creativity and thought-provoking talks. Tues 8 March, 2.30pm – 6pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-womens-day-event-at-stockport-libra-tickets-275535202207

Breaking the glass ceiling for women of colour – masterclass
Join Saj Zafar at the Manchester Art Gallery on International Women’s Day for a masterclass which looks at the barriers facing women of colour in employment, and how everyone can work together to smash through the ‘glass ceiling’. Book your ticket by emailing Zelda.massey@stockport.gov.uk.

Strike the International Women’s Day pose 

Will you help #BreakTheBias? Cross your arms to show solidarity.

Strike the IWD 2022 pose and share your #BreakTheBias image, video, resources, presentation or articles on social media using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.

Together, we can all break the bias – on International Women’s Day (IWD) and beyond.

Find out more at International Women’s Day