Celebrating International Women’s Day in Manchester  

This International Women’s Day there are many activities in parks and Central Manchester to join along with to celebrate the works of women. 

BeHER: Women’s community festival is taking place on Saturday (8 March) at the Central Library, a day-long free event to celebrate and support women. 

The council have joined with many women-led organisations to help create the event with funding coming from the IWD annual grants programme. 

This year’s theme for the celebration is Acceleration Action, which calls for supporters of gender equality to act against systemic barriers women from all backgrounds face in their professional and personal environments. 

Performances

Workshops, performances and discussions are set to take place based around the acronym HER, which stands for Heal, Encourage, Revive. 

Some of these that are taking place for example are in the form of a meditation and relaxation activity, poetry performances and many more including a closing speech by Councillor Erinma Bell. 

This event is free to attend, and people can book a place online. 

As a part of this event Manchester Met’s very own aAh! Magazine has an exhibit at central library of art illustrations and coverage of the Lights up event which took place last November. 

Lights up was instrumental in advocating for safer cycling and for amplifying the voices of women reclaiming the night and urban spaces. The exhibition in Central Library of this event will be running from the 3-29 March and is free to attend. 

Lights up exhibition

More information can be found on aAh! Magazine’s page. 

Several parks around the greater Manchester city region are holding free events for International Women’s Day for all to come along and celebrate. 

Some of the Parks holding these events are Wythenshawe Park, Gorton Park and Crowcroft Park. 

At these events there are opportunities to celebrate women through crafts, dance and much more. 

Councillor Erinma Bell, lead member for women, said: “Manchester has long been a city that has championed and supported women in the fight for gender equality. 

“It’s fantastic to see the range of creativity and innovation in the events this year for International Women’s Day with the aim of accelerating further action for women to thrive personally and professionally.    

“I would encourage women from all backgrounds and generations to get involved, because there is something for everyone and to advocate for more allies join in on the celebrations and inform our priorities for advancing women’s equality this year.”