This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity, and we can all do our bit to help redress the continued gender bias because we need more than equal opportunities.
We’re all about celebrating the amazing women in our lives and all over the world on IWD and every other day. There’s lots to celebrate! And there are plenty of IWD events where you can do just that. We’ve already told you about Femfest’s brilliant line-up, Sisterhood Kitchen’s gorgeous IWD plant-based supper club and the Kickass Women event at Platf9rm, but here are ten more things we reckon you’ll love.
Blooming lovely
If you’re free during the day this Tuesday and Wednesday, then we’re making an unusual recommendation (for us) – take yourselves down to Churchill Square shopping centre. Bear with us… They’re holding Room to Bloom, a special event to celebrate IWD, and they’ve invited some great speakers discussing some very relevant topics, including fighting imposter syndrome and the secret power of an entrepreneur (given by friend of BOTI and powerhouse coach Helen Vits). And if you’re looking for advice on pepping up your wardrobe, there will also be a stylist on hand to talk you through any sartorial issues. You can see the two-day line-up here.
Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th March; 11.30am – 3pm; free
Churchill Square Shopping Centre, Russell Place, Brighton, BN1 2RG
churchillsquare.com
Not your average department store
We don’t ever need a reason to get down to our favourite department store, The Stanley Road Store, but if YOU do, here it is: they’ve got a stellar day and night line-up in store for this International Women’s Day with a whole bunch of brilliant women giving talks, workshops and bringing heaps of fun. Get twerking with Twerk4Fitness Africa, learn some tools for celebrating life in all its messy glory, find out about practical ways to support your body through the menopause, shake it all off in the SRS disco, and take part in a huge raffle fundraiser! We hear the prizes are going to be pretty epic.
Wednesday 8th March; 11am – 10pm; free (no need to book)
The Stanley Road Store, 54 Market Street, Brighton
The Stanley Road Store
Putting the ale in female
The Bitter Women Brewery are back with their Bitter Women Festival and that means a whole week of hoppy events celebrating women in beer. There’s a virtual drink and draw on the Tuesday, and other local events include a networking and brew day with a postcard-making station at Hand Brew in Worthing and the brewery’s very beery first birthday party at Bison Beer (there’s free beer for the first 20 guests) on Friday. Not so bitter after all!
Until Friday 10th March; various dates, locations and times; free but book tickets
book tickets here
Unleash your inner artist
Feeling artsy? Then head down to the Feminist Bookshop for a life-drawing class with a twist. With spoken word artist and model, Priss Nash, as the muse, you’ll get to sketch while she recites extracts from her own writing. The amazing artist, Bella Franks (you can see her work in the feature image), will be there to guide and inspire you so you can let your creativity flow in a fun and supportive environment. They’ve got the basic drawing materials covered, but feel free to bring along your favourite art supplies to make this a truly personalised experience.
Wednesday 8th March; 6.30pm; £15
48 Upper North Street, Brighton, BN1 3FH
thefeministbookshop.com
Tassels on your ta-tas
Let’s celebrate body positivity! Create your own nipple tassels with the founder of Cult Milk’s female-led team, Amy Brown. It’s a cheeky yet empowering workshop with lots of laughs along the way. You’ll get to choose from various designs and customise your tassels however you please. But that’s not all – proceeds from your ticket price will go to Strut Safe, an organisation dedicated to dismantling systemic violence against women and marginalised groups and helping people get home safely.
Thursday 9th March; 7.00pm – 9.00pm; £10
Astrid & Miyu, 5 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EB
get tickets
We could be heroines
Calling all book lovers and literary enthusiasts! Get ready to be transported to a world of heroines, storytelling, and fierce feminism at the Kemptown Bookshop. Join successful local authors Kate Harrison, Frances Quinn (we love her historical novel The Smallest Man), and Sue Teddern as they delve into the art of character creation. They’ll be discussing topics, such as how they deal with the outdated perception that ‘women’s fiction’ is less valuable or universal than the work of male writers. So if you’re a bookworm who loves a strong female lead and a great story, don’t miss out on this fun event.
Thursday 9th March; 7pm – 9pm; free
91 St George’s Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EE
kemptownbookshop.co.uk
A night of film and dance
Looking to celebrate the arrival of spring, kick-ass women, clothes getting skimpier, and just being generally queer? Look no further than the Traumfrau x Film Pride Special! Kick off your night with a screening of short films made by women, for women. Then enjoy a selection of films that highlight female-identifying filmmakers and stories, courtesy of FilmPride. Finally, finish off your night with Traumfrau’s iconic party! Spread over three floors, there’s a live performance room, a neurodivergent-friendly sober art room, and a DJ dance floor. Whether you want to come to the film night, the party, or both, you won’t want to miss it!
Saturday 11th March; 7pm – 2am; from £9.38
Ironworks Studios, 30 Cheapside, Brighton, BN1 4GD
traumfrau.co.uk
Sussex women united
The Brighton Women’s Centre is hosting the city’s biggest International Women’s Day celebration in collaboration with Brighton Dome and Brighton & Hove Museums. This event is all about celebrating and inspiring women, while raising awareness of the incredible work being done to support vulnerable women across Sussex. You can look forward to a fun day filled with inspiring speakers, engaging workshops (feminist origami, charleston, Bollywood dancing, singing, and much more), exciting arts and crafts, powerful campaigns, and plenty of fun for the whole family. You can find the full programme here. Plus, all talks and workshops are pay-as-you-feel, with every penny going towards supporting the important work of BWC. You can register from 30 minutes before each session – don’t be late, places get snapped up super quickly!
Saturday 11th March; 10am – 4pm; free
Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1UE
brightondome.org
Make a splash
Daisy The Campervan owner Nicky Chisholm is teaming up with Eye Storm Global, Ruby Moon Swim and Beach Box Brighton to bring you the coolest (literally) event this International Women’s Day with an organised sea swim. Join other south coast sea swimmers in one place for a big photo and then embrace the thrill of the chill by plunging into the cool Brighton waters. This is a fun opportunity to connect with like-minded people and show your support for women everywhere. And don’t worry if you’re new to cold-water swimming, they’ll have people on hand to give you some tips and look after you in the water. So, grab your swim gear, your best gal pals and make a splash!
Saturday 11th March; 8.45am; free
Beach Box Brighton, Banjo Groyne, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1EN
Brewing up a storm
To coincide with International Women’s Day this month, the Beer Cadets are putting the spotlight on women in beer. They’ll look at the history of women and brewing (spoiler, we did it first) and dive into modern-day brewing and hospitality initiatives like Brave Noise, which is all about making beer drinking and production a safer and more inclusive space. And what’s a celebration without cracking open a few cold ones? You’ll try a selection of tasty beers, all crafted by talented women or brewed by female-led breweries. Cheers to breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and making some seriously delicious beer!
Thursday 16th March; 7.30pm; £10
Abyss Brewery + Tap, Unit 3 Davey’s Lane, Lewes, BN7 2BF
abyssbrewing.co.uk
By Beth Musselwhite
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