Swindon community aims to raise money by celebrating female artists
International Women’s Day was recognised by the UN in 1977
Swindon’s community hub is raising money for local domestic abuse charity Society Without Abuse this International Women’s Day.
The Hub has organised an event including workshops and live music as well as the opportunity to have serious conversations.
Society Without Abuse, formerly Swindon Women’s Aid, rebranded earlier this year in celebration of their 50th anniversary and to show that their focus is shifting towards the prevention of domestic abuse while continuing to offer support to victims.
Pearl Barcoe, who has lead the planning process for the Women’s Day event, said: “We’re right in the heart of the town centre, so we're in this prime location and we have this wealth of talent. So many great female makers and artists in the Swindon community and women who are doing things. We thought, let's get together and use our wonderful space that we have here and celebrate International Women's Day”.
The event is free of charge for all visitors as well as the artists, who are all female, taking part.
However, donations are strongly encouraged as all the money raised will be donated to Society Without Abuse who are supporting Swindon’s women and children.
“We just felt like we would choose something other than ourselves because International Women's Day is about celebrating women, and this particular charity does a lot to help women and their children who have suffered domestic abuse. And their charity shop is our neighbour on the parade. So, we just felt it'd be good to give back even though we're a charity ourselves”, explained Pearl.
International Women’s Day has been around since 1911, but it was not recognised by the United Nations until 1977.
“We've got a lot of wonderful women volunteers in the hub helping run things here and make things happen and International Women's Day in General is something we always give a nod to on our socials every year, but we just haven't had a chance to do something for it ourselves.
“It's always important to raise awareness that women's rights are human rights. There are so many places around the world where women are still fighting for their rights. So, we just wanted to do something that was celebrating the women here in Swindon and in our community”.
The Hub’s Women’s Day event runs from 11am to 4pm today (8 March).