International Women's Day

Published: Wednesday, 22nd February 2023

On March 8 the Royal Borough of Greenwich will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023.

This year, the theme is #EmbraceEquity and encourages people to imagine a gender equal world, free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination, where difference is valued and celebrated. 

In partnership with local organisation Creating Ground, which works with migrant women living in the borough, the Council will be running an event at the Woolwich Front Room, Powis Street, on 8 March. Residents are welcome to attend and help to create a beautiful piece of community art to celebrate the achievements of women locally. 

Across the borough the Council and its partners will be holding an exciting programme of events for residents of all ages to get involved in. Girls aged seven to nine years old from local schools have been invited to take part in a football festival at Charlton Athletic Football Club; school children have also been invited to a cricket festival at Woolwich’s Waterfront Leisure Centre, and there will be lots of activities happening at our libraries and leisure centres... 

Cllr Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “Men can be allies and celebrate and value the contribution of women from all backgrounds in our borough – not just on International Women’s Day but all year round too.  

“This year there is so much to take part in from making opportunities for girls to get involved in football and cricket to contributing to a piece of community artwork. If you represent a local organisation, you can also show your support by signing our Equality and Equity Charter.” 

Cllr Averil Lekau,  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “Royal Greenwich is a fair, welcoming and inclusive place where we actively challenge discrimination of any kind. No one in our borough should feel held back because of their gender. This year’s theme Embracing Equity goes past calls for equality. We don’t all get the same start in life – we have different lived experiences, but equity means recognising people need different support and opportunities to be successful.” 

Laura Marziale at Creating Ground said, “At our Woolwich Front Room event, we will be creating butterflies for International Women’s Day to symbolise how we are all unique but equally special in our diversity. Through embracing our differences and working together, we can transform ourselves and our communities for the better.” 

There are different ways you can celebrate IWD this year.... 

Sign our Equality and Equity Charter  
Sign our Women’s Safety Charter  

Events 

International Women’s Day communal art creation  
The Royal Borough of Greenwich and Creating Ground 
Wednesday 8 March, 2pm to 7pm  
Woolwich Front Room, 105 Powis St, London SE18 6JB 

At our leisure centres and libraries.... 

Mass physical activity work out   
Pilates, yoga, circuits, spin classes and boxing  
All women, any age, all abilities 
Wednesday 8 March,10am to 12noon 
Waterfront Leisure Centre, Woolwich High St, London SE18 6DL 

Yoga/Pilates 
All women, any age, all abilities  
Wednesday 8 March, 10am to 10.45am and 11am to 11.45am 
Waterfront Leisure Centre, Woolwich High Street, London SE18 6DL 

Zumba Class 
Women aged-16 plus, all abilities  
Wednesday 8 March, 11.15am to 12.15pm,  
The Greenwich Centre, 12 Lambarde Square, London SE10 9HB 
Book via the Better app or online 

Dance Fit 
Women aged-16 plus, all abilities 
Wednesday 8 March, 12.45pm to 13.30pm,  
The Plumstead Centre, 232 Plumstead High St, London SE18 1JL 

Ramya Julien - author talk 
Wednesday 8 March, 2pm  
The Greenwich Centre, 12 Lambarde Square, London SE10 9HB 

K.E Milligan Author Talk  
Wednesday 8 March, 6.30pm to 7.30pm 
The Greenwich Centre, 12 Lambarde Square, London SE10 9HB 

More events will be added here as they’re confirmed.