International Women's Day #BeBoldForChange

Guest blog by Mary Dorrell, Chairman of Norfolk Federation’s Public Affairs Committee and a member of Barford, Wramplingham and District WI.

Norfolk Federation will be holding an International Women’s Day event in line with this year’s theme, #BeBoldForChange on Wednesday 8 March 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. Men, women and children of all ages, religions and cultures are welcome to come along to the event to be held in Norwich Cathedral.  

With three million women experiencing rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, sexual exploitation and other forms of violence and abuse each year in the UK alone, we must pledge to #BeBoldForChange. The NFWI’s campaign WomenReaching Women was launched in 2008 as a three year educational project, focussing on world poverty, climate change and gender inequality. The campaign continued to flourish in Norfolk; a coalition of women’s groups and organisations was set up, including Mother’s Union and the Women’s Equality Party. An annual event on International Women’s Day also started, with 2016’s event focussing on connecting the different lives and cultures of women living in Norfolk.

This year’s event focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls to be bold for change. In November 2016 Norwich City Council asked us to help with the Norfolk-wide #IWalkedAway campaign, a 10 foot tall White Ribbon, which symbolises the global effort of men working to end male violence against women, was sewn by the WI and over 20 other community groups. The White Ribbon will be at the event in the Cathedral, which will bring together a variety of groups to highlight the work already being done and to pledge for future action.

The keynote address will be given by Aneeta Prem founder of the Freedom Charity, which aims to raise awareness and prevent child abuse affecting girls in the UK, on issues such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Other guests include: The Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Marion Maxwell and Lorne Green, Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk.  

We will come together on International Women’s Day to highlight our concerns for women and girls facing violence and pledge to #BeBoldForChange.

If you would like more information on the event please contact Louise Casson: fedsec@norfolkwi.org.uk