International Women’s Day (IWD) takes place on 8th March. And there’s call to press forward and progress gender parity in this year’s campaign theme,#pressforprogress.
IWD is held every year to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and has been observed since the early 1900s.
A series of local events will be held on the day in the Scottish Borders this year, including:
- an exhibition of ‘ScotsWummin’ celebrating women of the Scottish Borders, at Borders College from 10am-4pm -free entry
- quiz night and raffle at Oblo Bar and Bistro Eyemouth, from 7.30pm – teams of up to six – £2 entry per person
- production of ‘Sylvia’ at Wauchope Hall, Town Yetholm, at 7.30pm – free entry, donations welcome. Tickets from Yetholm village shop or call 01573 420231.
A women-only drumming workshop by the Samba Sisters will be held on Saturday 10th March, from10am-4pm at Unit Four, the Cornucopia Room, 4 Towerdykeside, Hawick TD9 9EA. The event is free – contact l to book a place.
The Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau will be celebrating IWD by acknowledging the contribution of three of their longest serving volunteers. Jean Murray (Galashiels), Pam Carter (Galashiels) and Linda Farrell (Selkirk) have a combined total of 86 years of voluntary service between them.
Susie Stein, Chair of the Scottish Borders Violence Against Woman Partnership, said: “Now, more than ever, there’s a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There’s a strong call to #pressforprogress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. IWD is all about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action. This year, events and activities are taking place across the region and we hope that many women will be able to join us.”
Councillor Shona Haslam, Scottish Borders Council Leader and IWD supporter, added: “Every day across the Borders, women are making vitally important contributions to their communities, workplaces, families and to their own futures. IWD is an opportunity for us to take a moment to honour what each one of us is doing, no matter what that might be, or how well we might think we are doing, and remind ourselves just how far we have come.
“This year is particularly significant as 2018 marks 100 years since the Representation of the People Act was passed, allowing women over the age of 30 to vote. We have also seen sexual harassment and discrimination against women capturing the headlines with women from across the world speaking out against unacceptable behaviour and voicing their desire for change.”
Shona added: “To build on this momentum, the theme for 2018 is #pressforprogress in recognition that there is so much more we can and need to do to speak up for and support each other, particularly for those amongst us who are experiencing discrimination or abuse in their daily lives.
“I would encourage women from across the Borders to come along to one of the planned events if they can and join the conversation, acknowledging how far we have come but also giving us their ideas about what we still want to achieve.”