Over a century ago, from an understated family home in Manchester, the Women’s Social and Political Union was born. Lead by Emmeline Pankhurst, from Moss Side, the Suffragettes went on to change the future of women’s rights all over the world. 120 years later, pioneering women continue to propel the city forward.
German activist and advocate for women’s rights Clara Zetkin thrusted International Women’s Day into the collective conscience when she suggested it should be celebrated worldwide at the International Conference of Working Women in 1910. 100 women from 17 different countries agreed unanimously and the day has been celebrated across the globe through marches, talks and events ever since. However, it wasn’t really until the early 2000s that International Women’s Day went truly mainstream. But now it’s here, a yearly fixture which allows us all to come together.
Discover some of the best ways to celebrate International Women’s Day in Manchester here…
Walk For Women
Walk For Women is an annual opportunity for women to come together with family, friends, colleagues, and strangers too, to share their passion for equality and creating opportunities for women in Manchester. The group will meet at midday on Mount Street, behind the Central Library, before heading through Albert Square to Brazennose Street, on to Deansgate and up to Manchester Cathedral.
Craftivism at The Pankhurst Centre
The Pankhurst Centre will mark International Women’s Day with a series of free activities. The suffragettes were pioneering craftivists, using their sewing skills to create protest banners and sashes before the term had event been coined. Now, you can get involved with workshops at the former home of Manchester’s pioneering women.
HOP Life Drawing
Female-run HOP return to DSW with an intimate life drawing class. Perfect for experienced artists or novices alike, the relaxed social is a chance to practice art with a wine in one hand and pencil in the other.
Girl Gang Manchester present Love & Rage
Join Girl Gang Manchester for a party like no other, inspired by Kate Bush’s song Love and Anger. Enjoy a night of dancing, workshops, catharsis and connection celebrating all the love and rage women experience moving through the world. Make a friendship bracelet, co-create a protest banner or write a self-love sonnet, the event is free to attend and open to people of all genders and ages.
International Women’s Day Cocktail Menu
Stray have created a menu of cocktails showcasing the talent and passion Manchester’s leading female bartenders, owners and operators. From Monday 4 to Sunday 10 March, ten cocktails will feature on the Stray menu, from leading women at Erst, Stray, Red Light, Schofields, Blinker, Hawksmoor, The Jane Eyre, Pod Pea Vodka and 10 Tib Lane. In addition, 20% of takings from the limited-edition menu will be donated to local charity 42nd Street’s Women’s Group.
They: Film Screening & Q&A
Watch the film premiere of dystopian hit They, followed by a live Q&A with co-creator and performer Maxine Peake. After its sell-out run at John Rylands Library as part of Manchester International Festival last year, Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight return with the film premiere. Watch the adaptation of Kay Dick’s rediscovered masterpiece in a one-off screening to mark International Women’s Day.
Cloudwater International Women’s Day IPA
Cloudwater is marking International Women’s Day with a new Pale Ale dedicated to the women who work on the brewery’s team, as well as inspirational women who have contributed to organisations and communities across Manchester. They will be celebrating its release with a launch event at the taproom with a free party, pizza, zine launch and photography exhibition on 8 March. See you there.
IWD at The Refuge with Andrea Trout and Julie Wills
The most auspicious Refuge will be turning out the tunes to celebrate International Women’s Day, with two special all-evening sets from two of the city’s best selectors. Disco Mums’ very own Julie Wills will be on the decks from 5pm, with Eves’ Drop Collective’s Andrea Trout taking over from 8pm until closing. Expect everything from deep soul cuts, boogie and maybe a little house music.
International Women’s Day Guided Tour
Discover the lives of women reformists, trade unionists, suffragists, suffragettes, MPs, radicals and revolutionaries. The 45-minute guided tour of the People’s History Museum’s main galleries will explore how women have campaigned for equality over the past 200 years.
International Women’s Day Badge Making Workshop
Celebrate International Women’s Day at the Working Class Movement Library with a badge making workshop. Learn how to create your own badge and explore some of the library’s archive.
Red Light celebrate female and queer bartenders
On Thursday 7 March, Red Light will team up with Pernod to host a special spotlight event to celebrate female and queer bartenders across the city. From 8pm, guest bartenders from the city’s highest acclaimed cocktail bars including Sexy Fish, Hawksmoor and Project Halcyon will be pouring drinks.
Immersive Yoga Social with Live String Quartet
Yoga Social Club will mark International Women’s Day with a special immersive yoga event. A one-hour breath work, yoga and meditation session will be accompanied by soothing and serene sounds of a live string quartet in the iconic surroundings of Hallé St Peter’s. The musicians will be playing female-only music from across the decades, with classic hits from the likes of Stevie Nicks, Blondie, Adele, Madonna and more. The session will be followed by a networking and wine social, and guests will also take home a goody bag.
Deeds, Not Words for International Women’s Day
Deeds, Not Words is a new exhibition at the Waterside in Sale that focuses on women in activism across a multitude of ongoing movements and protests. Denise Laura Baker is a London-based socially engaged photojournalist and documentary photographer. Her work focuses on environmental and social issues, climate change, activism and community. Denise continually collects and tells stories though her photography, pairing images with recorded or written dialogue in order to give a voice to those with whom she collaborates.
Open Mic Poetry Jam
The Scattered Collective Ensemble host an evening of poetry at The Old Fire Station in Salford for International Women’s Day. Food will be provided by the award-winning Archchi’s, who serve up delicious Sri Lankan dishes, as well as beer from the fabulous Lark Hill Brewery, just next door.
Fannytastic All-Female Club Night
AbsentAntiks presents its first ever girls only rave at XLR on Saturday. Fannytastic aims to provide a safe place to perform and dance, created by women, for women. The first night will see a stellar line-up, with a headline slot by DJ Daiz, who recently supported Shy FX, supported by Jessy P, Miggs and Zubz. Expect a hefty mix of DnB, Jungle, Garage and Bass as well as glitter on arrival.
HerStories: A concert for International Women’s Day 2024
Songwriter and performer Louise Jordan will perform at the Waterside in Sale to mark International Women’s Day 2024. The concert will celebrate the lives of extraordinary women through original song, composed by Jordan over the past 10 years. From smugglers to suffragettes and nurses to political campaigners, these stories will capture your curiosity.
Savvy Heels Taster Day
Savvy Heels host a Taster Day at 0161 Studios in celebration of International Women’s Day. If you want to try something different, and feel empowered, its the perfect way to get a feel for the different styles of dance and meet new friends.
