International Working Women’s Festival: Peterborough Women: Past, Present and Future
International Women’s Day was first established in the early twentieth century as a reaction to oppression and inequality. It was otherwise know as International Working Women’s Day. Now the day has lost its overtly political overtones and is held all over the world as a celebration of the social, economic and cultural achievements of women. Events are held over the week in which International Women’s Day (which is 8th March) is held.
As part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, Peterborough Trades Union Council (PTUC) is organising an event at the Town Hall on Bridge Street on Saturday 5th March. The theme is Peterborough Women: Past, Present and Future. It is designed to bring women in different parts of the community together to celebrate the achievements of local women. There will be speakers, including Sophie Antonelli from the Green Backyard, and Nicola Oldfield, a Civil Engineer. The event will be opened by Gillian Beasley, Chief Executive of Peterborough City and Cambridgeshire County Council.
Current and former Peterborough Poet Laureates, Charley Genever and Keely Mills will be contributing spoken word performances. There will also be traditional dancing, exhibitions, beauty therapies, craft stalls and refreshments. Information stands will be providing advice and information on Women’s issues. We encourage men to attend the event too – as journalist, and social and political activist Gloria Steinem says: “The story of women’s struggle belongs to no single feminist nor to any organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” (Ref: internationalwomensday.com)
We think it is important to celebrate the achievements of women, because, despite this being the twenty first century, there are many women all over the world who still suffer abuse, oppression and violence on a daily basis. These tragedies can be anything from being part of human trafficking to being denied access to education to suffering death at the hands of domestic violence. In England and Wales, two women each week are killed by a current or former partner. That is one woman, every three days (Ref: refuge.org.uk).
Even so, there is much to celebrate. Come to the event on Saturday 5th March to find out what some of these things are. The timings are 11.00 – 15.00. For more information or if you would like to have a Women’s issues stall at the event, please contact [email protected] or look at the website www.ptuc.co.uk.
