Women's Resource Centre - International Women's Day

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International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day from all of us here at the Women's Resource Centre! International Women's Day is an important time of year for women activists who will be holding IWD events all week to celebrate the achievements of the women's sector and to campaign on issues that affect women's rights worldwide.

to commemorate International Women’s Day, WRC chief executive Vivienne Hayes writes about why this day is particularly important for the women's sector in the current economic and political climate:

"It has been almost 100 years since the declaration of IWD and we still have some way to go in securing the human rights of all women, both here in the UK and across the globe.

The current economic climate is another additional excuse for the systematic failure of decision makers to effectively address and tackle the continued and shameful discrimination and oppression millions of women experience all over the world.

Our women’s sector is diminishing before our eyes. In particular, women’s organisations that support ethnic minorities, refugees and other long neglected groups in our society are taking a considerable hit, with reports of their services being de-commissioned at an alarming rate.

Unfortunately, we know that with a reduced womens sector comes increased inequality for women. So it is more vital than ever that the organisations and services we provide do not completely disappear.

During increasingly difficult times women as individuals and as organisations are renowned for their creativity and resilience and survival. So what should be our collective creative responses to this crisis? What choices do we have and what remedies should we be adopting? What kind of leadership should we be demonstrating?

I believe it is absolutely essential for us as women to work differently and better. In working towards the liberation of women and towards the liberation of mother nature (environmental sustainability), the choices we make at this time will inform the legacy we leave our children and future generations.

One of the crucial things we must do is maintain the diversity and number of womens organisations and services, and let me be clear; I mean women’s organisations and services led by and for women and women only.

, Buy a card to celebrate International Women's Day!

IWD Blogroll:

Women in London's Event Calendar and International Women's Day blog

Gender Across Borders' IWD blog

The F Word's blog

In a hostile commissioning environment, during an economic downturn and with a potential change in government, our unity and solidarity is more crucial than ever. We must rise to this challenge and respond with sisterly concern, constantly asking ourselves - how do we make choices which promote our own organisations and those of our sisters?

One of the things which saddens me the most is the excuse I sometimes hear that because of commissioning processes we must compete. We don’t, we can form partnerships and we can collaborate.

We always say to decision makers - we want to see political will in support for our sector. We also need to see that will within our own sector. Leadership is either about about power and control or liberation. We have choices - we don’t have to follow the herd - we can be so much better than that.

So for this year, and in honour and celebration of the sisters, mothers and grandmothers who fought and died and (who continue to do so) for the rights we do enjoy, let’s be the best we can be. We are different – but equal - to men, so let’s celebrate and showcase that difference and lead the way as an example of another possibility … a better world for all."

WRC celebrates International Women's Day!

There are lots of ways you can get involved in the celebrations for International Women's Day. Keep checking this page as we'll be posting regular updates on IWD events this week and uploading any pictures or video from events to this page and our blog.

Women's Resource Centre's Blog

Do you have any photos or videos of events you've been to this week? Send us a link to anything you've uploaded this week and we'll add them to our Flickr slideshow and Youtube!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Watch our first video from the Million Women Rise March!

IWD Events

8 March: Join Women on the Bridge
Join Women for Women International as they march across the Millienium Bridge in London, Merchant's Bridge in Manchester and many other bridges across the UK to campaign for peace and development in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. There are many events being held worldwide - please visit the Join Women on the Bridge campaign page to find an event near you.

8 March: What About Women?
The Fawcett Society launch their new campaign today to ask all the political parties what they will do to promote women's equality and how their policies will impact on women's daily lives. Please visit the Fawcett Society's website for more details on how to take action.

8-14 March: International Women's Week at Stratford Circus
In celebration of International Women's Day, Stratford Circus, a contemporary performing arts venue, will be holding a series ofo events including award winning performances, musical theatre and opportunities to contribute. Please see the event page for more details.

12-13 March: Women's Liberation Movement @ 40, Ruskin College
On the 40th anniversary of the first UK Women's Liberation Conference at Ruskin College, this conference will celebrate and explore the intervening period, feminist work and changes within society. The conference will include creative and kills workshops as well as panel discussions on key moments in feminism. Please visit the event website for more details.

13 March: Mothers March and Speak out
Called by the All African Women’s Group Mothers’ Campaign (MoCa), Global Women’s Strike (GWS), and Single Mothers’ Self-Defence, this march is in recognition of all the work mothers contribute to society and to demand for more investment in support for mothers. Please see the press release (10.99KB) for more information.

You can find more information about IWD events on the Women in London event calendar and information on other events in the women's sector on the WRC events page.