As you may know, 8th March is annually celebrated as International Women’s Day. This year’s theme, “Inspiring Inclusion,” emphasises the need to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued.
Recognising the unique perspectives of women, especially those from marginalised communities, is crucial for an equal and fair society. Equally, by championing the inclusion in leadership of women from across demographics, we can ensure that decision-making produces positive impacts that address diverse needs, break down barriers, and produce innovations that makes our society better generation after generation.
“Inspiring Inclusion” calls for collective action to confront biases, dismantle systemic barriers, and promote a culture of respect and equality. It advocates for policy changes, education, and community engagement to empower all women, regardless of race, religion, or geographical location.
This is by no means limited to our community here in Queen’s Park or in the UK. We must also advocate for the basic rights of women affected by international conflicts and policy-making to ensure they have opportunities to thrive in a world free from discrimination and violence.
We must also recognise that advocacy, activism, and solidarity towards the liberation of women are just the work of women. Yes, the lead must come from women who have the lived experiences, but men and people of all genders must lend their voices and actions to the struggle for women’s liberation. All of our freedoms are interconnected!
I encourage you to educate yourself and get involved in any way you can to inspire inclusion and engage in the battle for women’s freedom worldwide.
Written by: Councillor Shifaa Ali
This International Women’s Day, let’s all be part of the solution. Let’s champion inclusion and empower women in our community one step at a time. See below for some things you can do as a start:
Local Action:
- Get in touch to share your ideas for projects, services or approaches you would like to see the Community Council implement to raise awareness and combat violence and sexual offences locally. As you may know, last month, we published a report which has sadly seen an increase of 18% in reports of Violence and Sexual Offences compared to the previous year – which, as we know, disproportionately affects women and girls. Read more here. So get in touch because we want to hear from residents, particularly those with lived experiences, how we can better address these issues.
- This year, the Community Council’s Economic Development Working Group will also focus on supporting women and girls in exploring entrepreneurship. If you wish to get involved and offer your expertise in developing the project, please get in touch.
Read:
- Freedom is a Constant Struggle, Angela Y. Davis
- Everyday Sexism, Laura Bates
- Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, Charlene A. Carruthers
- To Exist is to Resist: Black Feminism in Europe – by Akwugo Emejulu and Francesca Sobande (Editors)
- Color of Violence: The INCITE! Anthology – by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence
- Consumed: The need for collective change; colonialism, climate change & consumerism
- Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir, Lamya H.
- Narratives of Muslim Womanhood and Women’s Agency, Minako Sakai, Samina Yasmeen
- Hands Off Our Hijab: Muslim Women Putting Liberal Hypocrisy On Trial, Farhap Amin
Events:
- Join Grazyna Richmond at the Shoe Lane Library to learn about the women of Westminster as she explores how Women’s History is presented through memorials and storytelling at Westminster Abbey. Find out more here. (https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/events/women-at-westminster)
- If you are interested in art exhibitions, visit Cristina de Miguel’s inaugural solo exhibition, Dissolving, happening now at Almine Rech, Broadbent House, Grosvenor Hill. Find out more here. (https://artplugged.co.uk/cristina-de-miguel-dissolving/)
- You may also visit Barbara Kruger’s Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You. first solo exhibition in over 20 years at Serpentine South. Find out more here. (https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/barbara-kruger-thinking-of-you-i-mean-me-i-mean-you/