International Women’s Day: 8 Birmingham events to celebrate with Just Stop Oil protesters & more

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There will be several International Women’s Day (IWD) events in the city to celebrate the powerful women and their contributions, as well as events to spend the day together in like-minded company

Every year, March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day - a global day honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity to highlight and create awareness about why equal opportunities aren’t enough since people start from different places. And, true inclusion and belonging can happen only through equitable action.

The reason why March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day is linked to worker movements in New York, US in February 1908. Thousands of women in the garment industry went on a strike and protested throughout the city about the horrible working conditions. The labour movement in the US spurred other countries as well, including Russia - where it took a revolutionary form and spurred massive worker strikes in 1917.

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In the UK, women were first allowed to vote in 1918, and in 1928, all women above the age of 21 gained the right to vote in the country. Birmingham also has a rich history of suffragette campaigners such as Emma Sproson, Julia Varley, Rhoda Anstey, and Hilda Burkitt.

There will be several events in the city to celebrate the powerful women and their contributions, as well as events for women to spend the day together in like-minded company.

So, here are eight events to sign up for if you are looking for your sisterhood:

1. Raising money for period poverty in Digbeth

MidyMag is celebrating International women’s Day on the 8th of March at Muthers Studio. Headline performance will be by Genevieve Miles, alongside supports from Sunbalm and Neve Georgette. Profits will go to PeriodPovertyUK who work to provide sanitary products to Britain’s most deprived communities and other crisis areas including Syria and Ukraine.

Address: 14 Rea Street South, Digbeth

For tickets, visit Skiddle’s website.

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2. Secret concert in Edgbaston with live music & more

On March 8, you can attend a secret concert and discover three artists in Edgbaston. The venue is revealed 36 hours prior to the event. You can discover three new artists at the live concert which will take place in an intimate space. Entry to the International Women’s Day concert costs £14 and tickets are available of Sofar Sounds website.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 (Photo -  Unsplash/Brianna Tucker) International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 (Photo -  Unsplash/Brianna Tucker)
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 (Photo - Unsplash/Brianna Tucker) | Unsplash. Brianna Tucker

3. Join West Midlands Police on IWD on John Bright Street

On March 29, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with Women Acting In Today’s Society, are hosting a networking evening. The event will take place at The Futurist Grill and the King of Clubs on John Bright St, Birmingham B1 1BN, from 6pm to 10pm.

They aim to bring women together from diverse communities and backgrounds in Birmingham for an evening of networking, comedy and live music from local artist. This event is women only. You can find tickets for the event on Eventbrite.

4. Identifying equality challenges with Birmingham Voluntary Service Council

Join McGuckin Group and Women On Their Way on March 8 at 3pm for a virtual event as CEO, Audrey McGuckin and a panel of key women leaders celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness about the systemic challenges impacting equity, and how both organizations and individuals can take action to “Embrace Equality.”

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This is a free event, but donations are sought as proceeds will be given to The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Tickets for the event can be found here.

5. iGlobal Afternoon Tea & Celebrations in Hall Green

iGlobal International Women’s Day will be hosted by Shabnum K Shah, CEO of iGlobal Group, on March 8 at 11.30am at Highfield Hall, Hall Green. It will include guest speakers, discussions, activities, exhibitions, and a delicious afternoon tea.

There will be an opportunity to network with fellow inspirational women from a range of sectors, insight to exhibition of businesses, and light entertainment. Entry to this iGlobal International Women’s High Tea event is strictly by online booking only.

6. Women in Business honoured at The Lost & Found

The Bruntwood SciTech Community is championing women in business on March 8 at The Lost & Found. They are celebrating positive female role models in the workplace.

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Healthy workplace cultures of the future require leadership teams who can acknowledge and address mental health challenges in an open and positive way. Whether you’re a manager or an aspiring leader this training opportunity - fully funded by Bruntwood - is not to be missed.

Registration with guaranteed attendance is essential to secure your space. 16 spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We are limiting sign-ups to two employees per organisation.

For more details, check Eventbrite.

7. Just Stop Oil protesters in Digbeth

This event is hosted by Louise Harris, a singer songwriter who went viral in November 2022 after speaking to camera from the top of a gantry on the M25. You can join Louise and the women of Just Stop Oil as they share their experiences of a life lived in civil resistance.

They will discuss the climate crisis and resistance campaigns from history. You can also network with empowered women in Birmingham. All genders welcome.The event will be very social, friendly and motivating with regular breaks for refreshments. It will be hosted at Friends of the Earth Warehouse, 54-57 Allison Street, Digbeth. To register, visite the Allevents website.

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Several events will go ahead in Birmingham to celebrate the special day (Photo - Unsplash/ Omar Lopez)Several events will go ahead in Birmingham to celebrate the special day (Photo - Unsplash/ Omar Lopez)
Several events will go ahead in Birmingham to celebrate the special day (Photo - Unsplash/ Omar Lopez) | Unsplash/ Omar Lopez

8. Women in film lunch at Piccolino in Brindleyplace

On March 7, guest speaker Sindy Campbell, Chief Executive of Birmingham’s Film Unit, will speak about her role in bringing major TV and film productions to the city. It will be accompanied by a two course lunch, consisting of a main meal followed by dessert, accompanied by a glass of prosecco or alternative non-alcoholic drink.

For tickets, visit Eventbrite.

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