It is International Women’s Day (IWD) on Sunday 8 March, and organisations across the borough’s 7 towns will be hosting events throughout the month to mark the occasion.

These activities are being held by community groups, voluntary organisations, the council and the police. All events are open to the public.

IWD has been celebrated since 1911 to forge gender equality and this year there are 2 themes. They are:

• Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, which focuses on removing the barriers that prevent women and girls from being treated fairly and safely
• Give to Gain, which. encourages people and organisations to support one another and build stronger communities

What’s on:

Thursday 5 March

Violence against women and girls’ crime prevention stall. From 1pm to 2pm at Hanwell Community Centre, Westcott Crescent, W7 1PD.

Join a conversation with representatives from the police about preventing violence against women and girls in your local area. For more details visit the Met Engage website.

Friday 6 March

Community event at Southall Town Hall from 11am to 2pm at Southall Town Hall, High Street, Southall, UB1 3HA.

Southall Community Alliance will host an information event where you can find support and advice on safety, wellbeing and local opportunities.

Saturday 7 March

Police information event from 10am to 12:15pm at The Mount, Acton, W3 9NW.

The police and Ealing Council’s safer communities team will run an information stall outside Morrisons in Acton. You can talk with officers about safety, local concerns and the work taking place to prevent violence against women and girls.

Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 March

Night-time safety support in Ealing Broadway from 8:30pm to 1:00am at Ealing Broadway Station.

Staff from homeless charity St Mungo’s will be joined by local police officers at Ealing Broadway Station from Saturday night into Sunday morning, where there will be support for women travelling home at night, including water and phone charging.

Sunday 8 March

A collective courageous community of women. From 11am to 2pm at Norwood Hall, Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Southall, UB2 4LA.

Sahara Sisterhood, a community organisation that supports and empowers women, will host a session on connection, storytelling and shared experiences. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.
You can register for the event via Eventbrite.

Monday 9 March

International Women’s Day celebration. From 11am to 2pm at OPEN Ealing, Arts Centre, Unit 14, School Lane, Dickens Yard, W5 2TD.

This event is being organised by Housing for Women, Forward UK, Hestia, Refuge and Women’s Wellness Zone. You can meet with local service providers supporting women in the borough. It is an informal event and a chance for you to so come along and share a cup of tea and meet other women in the borough. The event will be close with an inspiring word and a poem by Councillor Grace Quansah. No booking is required.

Tuesday 10 March

Online panel discussion. Generation Equality: Young People Shaping a Safer Ealing for Women and Girls from 11am to 12pm.

You can register for the event via Eventbrite.

‘You deserve to feel safe’

Councillor Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives, said: “International Women’s Day is a reminder of the strength, resilience and leadership of women and girls in every part of our borough. It is also a call to action. We all have a role in creating safer, fairer and more supportive communities.

“I want every woman and girl to know that you are valued, you are heard, and you deserve to feel safe and confident in your everyday life. I encourage you to take part in these events, meet others and make the most of the support available across our 7 towns.”

Find out more

View a full calendar of events on the Safer Ealing website.