Mancunians of both genders will celebrate their feminine side tomorrow with events around the city to mark International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day (IWD) was first celebrated in 1911 thanks to women’s activist Clara Zetkin, who came up with the idea to raise awareness of the inequality between men and women and to celebrate women’s achievements.
Manchester has been part of the celebrations for over a quarter of a century, holding its second IWD Awards Ceremony yesterday at thecity’s Town Hall, recognising the achievements of unsung heroines of the city.
The International Women’s Day Steering Group, chaired by Councillor Suzanne Richards, set a theme for the day each year.
The theme for 2014 is ‘Women as Peacemakers’ as the day also marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
But is it still relevant today?
“Very much so,” said Jane Bradley, creator of For Books’ Sake, a feminist webzine championing women writers and co host of (Re)-Making Peace, one of the city’s many scheduled events today.
“So many women experience violence, discrimination and other gendered challenges every day”, she said.
“There is still a gender pay gap of 18 per cent and 400,000 women experience sexual assault every year. Only nine per cent of our film directors are female and women writers account for an average of one in every four book reviews in the mainstream media.”
Since 1999, there has also been an International Men’s Day on 19th November but today’s activities can benefit men too.
“Using IWD as an opportunity to explore the issues women face is a perfect way to showcase how they impact both genders.” said Jane.
With so many events planned, MM has the guide to the best and brightest that Manchester has to offer.
Here are our top ten events going on this weekend:
1. Girl power – Manchester Style
Manchester women have not always conformed to society’s ideal. Hear some of the stories about the women across the years who have lived and died in Manchester. Booking required.
When: Saturday 11.30am Where: Manchester visitor Information Centre Info: call Manchester Guided Tours on 07505685942, email: [email protected] or visit www.manchesterguidedtours.com Price: £7
2. A Closer Look: International Women’s Day
Discover the personal stories of inspirational women in a 20-minute walk and talk around IWM North. Explore the roles of women during times of conflict and peace keeping, from the Women’s International League in the First World War to peaceful protesters at Greenham Common.
When: March 1 –31, 3.30pm daily Where: Imperial War Museum North, Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, M17 1TZ Info: call 0161 836 4000 or visit www.iwm.org.uk
3. International Women’s Day artwork unveiling
An unveiling of community artwork and celebratory family-fun event. This will include a large peace symbol made up of photos of women and children, created by the community in artist-led workshops running up to the event.
When: Saturday 1–4pm Where: Moss Side Powerhouse Library, Raby street, Moss Side, M14 4SL Info: call 01612273758 or email [email protected]
4. Living History: The Hard Way up – a Suffragette’s Story
Our Living History character is based on the life of Suffragette Hannah Mitchell, who spoke out for women and the poor and became a peace campaigner after World War I. Suitable for over-7s to adults. Booking required: www.thehardwayup.eventbrite.co.uk.
When: Saturday 1.15-2pm Where: People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, M3 3ER Info: call 0161 838 9190, email [email protected] or visit www.phm.org.uk.
5. (Re)Making peace
There are many things that destroy women’s peace on a daily basis: from bare breasts on page 3 to fear on the streets after dark. Look at what destroys your peace and then, using words, images, sound and the senses, reimagine, redefine and rebuild it!
Curator and No More Page 3 campaigner Anne Louise Kershaw will explore the female image with a mass-collage, For Book’s Sake will invite you to rewrite your own story while conceptual artist Debbie Sharp will host a talk, a walk and a workshop.
Events will conclude with a performance by artist Rosanne Robertson.
When: Saturday, 4pm–late Where: The Penthouse, 5th floor, Hilton house, 26–28 Hilton Street, Northern Quarter, M1 1EH Info: call Anne Louise Kershaw on 07732402968, email [email protected] or go to Twitter: @Anne_L_Kershaw
6. One Day After Peace
Manchester’s first-ever screening of the multi-award-winning documentary One Day After Peace, followed by a discussion with the film’s lead, Robi Damelin.
A film by Erez and Miri Laufer, the film follows the mother of an Israeli soldier who was killed on the West Bank and her attempts to meet her son’s jailed killer.
She then returns to her native South Africa to see how the country had embarked on a quest to achieve forgiveness after decades of apartheid.
The film is a poignant moving journey through South Africa, Israel and Palestine, three lands that have been scorched and burned for generations.
A thought-provoking film shows Robi and the viewers that: even from a place of pain one can see a glimmer of hope.
When: Saturday 7.30pm Where: Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, M2 1NL
7. A Range of Women: Celebrating our Diversity and Similarities
An event to bring women of all ages and cultures together to celebrate our lives – and have fun!
Activities include: Egyptian, Bollywood and Latin dance, Yoga, pilates and information stalls, delicious food, cakes, Clothes Swap and Book Swap Stalls, Music, Massage, Pampering, Mosaic making – and much more!
When: Saturday 2-5pm Where: St Margaret’s Social Centre, Brantingham Road, M21 0TT
8. Sugar and Spice Festival– Make Love Not War
Manchester’s annual celebration of International Women’s Day for lesbian and bisexual women featuring workshops, a cafe space, free food, free massages, a panel discussion, film screenings, jewellery making, entertainment and more.
When: Saturday 12 Noon– 6pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm When: The Lesbian & Gay foundation, 5 Richmond Street, M1 3HF Info: call Siân Lambert on 0845 3303030, email [email protected] or visit www.lgf.org.uk/women
9. Suffragette Legacy: How does the history of feminism inspire current thinking in Manchester?
Showcasing a film made by young women comparing their needs in 1914 with their needs in 2014.
Camilla Mørk Røstvik, PhD candidate at the University of Manchester, and Louise Sutherland, Head of Collections and Engagement at the People’s History Museum, started planning an interdisciplinary conference to celebrate the legacy of the suffragettes in Manchester and beyond.
Asking questions like: is the first wave of feminism is still relevant to our artists, scholars and activists? Can we still learn from the suffragettes? Can we enter a dialogue with them?
In our packed one-day conference we hope to show off the people and ideas who keep the spirit of these women (and men) alive.
When: Saturday Where: People’s history Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, M13 3ER Info: email [email protected] or visit www.phm.org.uk Price: £25 (£15 student concession)
10. Stature Project Exhibition
Out of 640 listed statues in the UK, only 15% are women. ‘Making history, herstory’ using crocheted masks of inspiring women on the ground floor of Manchester Town Hall.
The Stature project examines how women’s lives and achievements have been officially recorded and represented in history.
When: Saturday and Sunday, all day Where: Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester, Lancashire M60 2LA Info: visit www.wearewarpandweft.wordpress.com or Twitter: @warp_weft
Image courtesy of Jeannie Fletcher, with thanks
