MERSEYSIDE is marking this year’s International Women’s Day on Saturday with a week of events including the revival of the historic Reclaim the Night march.
Its programme begins today and runs until March 12, with a host of other independent events including an evening with former children’s television presenter Floella Benjamin at the International Slavery Museum and the In Celebration of My Sisters concert at the Philharmonic Hall.
The Reclaim the Night March began in the 1970s as part of a campaign against rape and violence against women.
Still held around the world, it is thought it has not taken place in Liverpool for more than 30 years.
Women wanting to take part are asked to gather at St George’s Plateau at 7.30pm on Saturday night.
Organiser Cath Turner said: “Women of all backgrounds have been getting involved and we’re very exited about the Reclaim the Night march, because there hasn’t been one for so long – we think the last one in Liverpool was in the 1970s. Lots of us, by virtue of our age, won’t have been on one.
“The focus is on our year of Capital of Culture, and our opportunity to reclaim power and reclaim our streets and do something positive.
“One of the good things about this particular project is that it is very upbeat, very positive, with a real sense of fun.”
The group had been loosely discussing the idea of creating events around International Women’s Day but things started coming together when Wirral and Merseyside’s trade centres got involved.
Ms Turner continued: “We put the message out across to women’s groups, voluntary organisations, and trade union networks and asked if they wanted to get something going – and women just came out of the woodwork to get involved.
“It is quite inclusive – some events are women-only for obvious reasons, but all the others are open to the public.
“Children are welcome on the march and men can also take part at the back of the procession.”
The week’s events will benefit five charities, including the local RASA and WHISK health centres for female victims of sexual abuse, and Speke and Garston domestic violence centre. Two women’s projects in India and Malawi will also be supported.
Co-organiser Ruth Dillon said: “We’re trying to use local organisations to highlight issues and give women back their voice, trying to give women the opportunity to promote themselves in a more positive light.”
For more information visit www.merseysideiwd.org.uk.
Elsewhere in the city, In Celebration of My Sisters visits Liverpool for the first time on Friday as part of the 2008 celebrations. Now in its 12th year, it will showcase top UK female artists, including some of Liverpool's top performers, from RnB, jazz and reggae backgrounds.
Tony Fairweather, founder of ICOMS, said: “It's a great honour for us to bring the show to the European Capital of Culture, Liverpool. It is our intention that the show will become a fixture in Liverpool's annual calendar of events.”
Floella Benjamin – now a doctor and chancellor of the University of Exeter – will give a free talk to mark IWD on March 8 at 7pm.
