International Women's Day comes to Manchester Town Hall

GET INVOLVED: March 8 is official day

By Shanna McGoldrick

International Women’s Day is coming to Manchester from tomorrow, with a focus on creativity, business and industry.

The event, which takes place on Sunday March 4 at Manchester Town Hall, offers the public the chance to meet high-flying women from a wide range of industries.

Attendees of the free event can also take part creative workshops and get practical advice about education and career opportunities.

Councillor Suzanne Richards, lead member for women’s issues in Manchester, said: “We are all working together to make this year's event a positive, engaging and most of all inspiring experience for young women in our city. It's girl power in action!

"We want women to come along and participate and leave the event with new aspirations, more skills, greater confidence and a positive outlook to help support them in whatever their next steps in life are."

As part of the event, women will be able to develop skills relating to music production, photography, IT, science, construction, writing and engineering.

The day will also feature high-profile women from all walks of life, including the CEOs of various Media and Scientific institutions, a former BBC newsreader, a hip-hop group co-ordinator and a prestigious barrister specialising in criminal law.  

Those wanting to learn more about the music industry can try recording, producing and releasing a music album in one day, courtesy of the grassroots music NGO Un-Convention, which will be running an event aiming to inspire and support women in music and the media.

Participants can chat with key women from the industry, including BBC Radio 6 DJ Jo Good and singer Becki Stephens of The Pipettes, plus record label directors, musicians and festival organisers.

Ruth Daniels, CEO of Un-Convention, said: “We have never before had a Un-Convention Factory run by an all-female crew. It is a very exciting proposition and I am excited to see the results. I hope this will be a truly inspirational and thought provoking day for all involved. Women face many challenges in music and media and we hope this event will go some way to redress the inequalities."