International Women's Week 2007

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 13:39

Once again, Hyndburn Women’s Forum have a busy week planned to celebrate and recognise International Women’s Week, next week. Trying to include something for everyone.

We launch the week on Sunday 4th March with a cheerleading spectacular at New Era. The Mayor and Mayoress will be in attendance as teams from throughout the Hyndburn area (primary and secondary) schools compete for the cheerleading crown.

On Monday 5th the activities move to the Women’s Centre 110 Abbey St, Accrington where there will be an open day. There will be free food ( Halal, Polish and Greek) and drinks and tutors on hand to talk about our courses and offer free demonstrations and pamper sessions. Translators for Urdu, Greek and hopefully Polish will be available. For information about this open day contact the Women’s Centre direct 01254 871771

On Tuesday 6th things move on to Haworth Art Gallery for workshops in conjunction with the exhibition ‘Handasah’ which means geometry in Arabic and describes the foundation and inspiration in Zarah Hussain’s work shown in this exhibition. Join Zarah’s sister, Sarah, in a painting workshop to re-create these beautiful images for yourself. 10.30am to 3pm, includes lunch. Limited places so please telephone and book your place by contacting Yvonne Robins, Haworth Art Gallery, 01254 233782.:

Then on Wednesday 7th it’s the main event. A conference is being held at The Hope Centre in Oswaldtwistle. Five speakers will be speaking on different subject from issues surrounding forced marriages to safety for women to confidence and motivation. This event is completely free, lunch is provided and is open to anyone and everyone. There are still some places so if anyone wants to attend please contact Gayle Knight on 01254 387851 to book a place.

Friday 9th sees an event at Accrington Town Hall n association with AAWAZ Celebrating Womens achievements. From 5.30 - 8pm, the event is open to anyone but we do need to know the numbers as there will be light refreshments

And the week finishes on Saturday 10th with a second workshop at Haworth Art Gallery, details as before except you will need to bring a packed lunch as it is not provided for this event.

All of these events are free and are open to anyone – for details about the events contact the organising venue or Gayle Knight on 01254 387851. They are funded by The Big Lottery and Awards For All.

It’s a rather packed programme!

lancsdave · 03-03-2007, 19:09

Anyone got the dates for International Mens Week ?

garinda · 03-03-2007, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Anyone got the dates for International Mens Week ?

Week?

Men apparently get a whole month!

http://www.menstuff.org/calendar/intmensmonth.html

flashy · 03-03-2007, 20:15

uncle rindy will you be attending the womens centre?

Doug · 03-03-2007, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Anyone got the dates for International Mens Week ?

I hope we get some dolly birds coming to ours.......

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

I hope we get some dolly birds coming to ours.......

When you organise it, I'm sure we'll all turn up.....

......but I won't hold my breath.

Doug · 03-03-2007, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

When you organise it, I'm sure we'll all turn up.....

......but I won't hold my breath.

You going to put your Green dress on Gayle ......

Sorry Gayle you know I support your efforts, good luck with it, I might even turn up for an hour.

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 20:32

To which event - they are all book in advance ones.

garinda · 03-03-2007, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashytart

uncle rindy will you be attending the womens centre?

No. Good luck to them and all that, but by being aimed soley at one sex, that by it's very nature is divisive in my opinion. I'm against anything that separates people on lines of gender, creed, or culture etc.

I believe in integration in the general community, not separatism.

The days when empowerment, and visiblity was helped by separatism, for instance women's and gay liberation, as well as black power etc., are long over, now there is equality in law. The community and society should encompass everyone, not isolate them by targeting individual groups within it.

In the middle of an art history lecteur I once had a very heated debate with a hardline feminist historian, who thought all men were oppressors. I argued back that by it's very nature, because it separated people on gender lines, feminism was sexist. I won.

That said, this is purely my opinion, and as stated good luck, but I'm happy living in the wider community, rather than in a ghetto.

This isn't a dig at Gayle or anyone involved with this event locally, it's just my thoughts in general on things like this. I've said very similar things when it was suggested to having a Accrington Gay Pride.

Doug · 03-03-2007, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

To which event - they are all book in advance ones.

Tuesday the 6th sounds good.

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 20:46

I actually agree with you Garinda.

However, as I have always said these aren't supposed to be divisive events and everyone is welcome to come. Admittedly the subject matter at the conference is targeted mostly towards women's interests but that doesn't mean men can't come.

Also, I don't think every event can be everything to everyone but as long as society in general covers all basis then everyone is happy.

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

Tuesday the 6th sounds good.

You'll have to phone the Haworth to book in.

garinda · 03-03-2007, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

I actually agree with you Garinda.

However, as I have always said these aren't supposed to be divisive events and everyone is welcome to come. Admittedly the subject matter at the conference is targeted mostly towards women's interests but that doesn't mean men can't come.

Also, I don't think every event can be everything to everyone but as long as society in general covers all basis then everyone is happy.

You've said before that everyone is welcome, even male Accy Webbers in flasher macs! That I applaud, but why not rename it Hyndburn's People Forum or something, then people can't say that it is separating any one section of the community from the other? Things have changed.

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 21:01

The group was formed about 14 years ago to celebrate International Women's Day. So really it wouldn't be as impactful if it was celebrated by a People's forum.

But you know what - things haven't changed that much for some women or else we wouldn't have had the bhurka debate last year. If things are so changed why are women being systematically raped in war zones around the world.

This is from the V-day's website

While war exponentially increases crimes of violence against women and girls, it also draws attention to the strength and resilience among women rebuilding communities and leading governments to peaceful solutions. V-Day is dedicating its 2007 Spotlight campaign to Women In Conflict Zones to communicate these stories to global audiences and media. Introduced by V-Day star supporters, women who have persevered through conflict will share their personal stories of uprising:

Margaret Jayah, A Survivor, Sierra Leone
At merely 13 years old, Margaret Jayah was abducted by rebels in Sierra Leone. A sex slave for nine months, she was ganged raped, and to this day does not know who fathered her seven year old son. Margaret persevered through this horrific experience and is currently in high school at 20 years old.

Myriam Merlet, Chief of Staff of the Ministry for Women, Haiti
Like many who sought exodus from poverty and repression, she fled Haiti in the 1970's. After a politically active life in the Haitian Diaspora, Myriam returned to Haiti with her young family in 1986. As both a political activist and professional, Myriam remains committed to the process of social and political change in Haiti. Myriam is also a published author on women's rights, race and gender issues.

Zoya, Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), Afghanistan
Born in Kabul in 1976, Zoya grew up during the wars that ravaged Afghanistan and took the lives of her parents who were murdered by Muslim fundamentalists. Today, Zoya works in refugee camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan and represents RAWA globally, speaking out for the plight of Afghan women. Zoya is the subject of the 2002 book "Zoya's Story: An Afghan Woman's Struggle for Freedom."

If things have changed so much, why are only 1 in 8 rape claims making it to the courts?

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 21:34

If things have changed so much take a look at the statistics about violence against women on this website

http://www.who.int/gender/violence/en/

or perhaps this one

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict.htm

or may be you could look at this site about rapes against women

http://www.rainn.org/statistics/index.html

or perhaps the figures on amnesty international's site

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/

Things might have changed for the average, white, middle class woman but around the world and in many communities throughout the UK not only have things not changed but they have got far worse.