In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), the School of Engineering and Digital Arts is hosting a charity coffee morning and networking event for all staff and students of the School on Tuesday 8 March 2016 from 10.30 onwards, in the social area, Jennison Building.   Come along and meet representatives from the School’s EDI Committee and find out about University initiatives which support female students to advance their careers in academia.

Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action. The theme for 2016 is Pledging For Parity.  Everyone – men and women – can pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly – whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.

Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 when women would rally for the right to vote, have an education, hold public office and end discrimination against themselves.  Over the years, International Women’s Day has been held in more and more countries. Many global corporations have also started to more actively support IWD, for example, on 8 March search engine and media giant Google, some years, even changes its logo on its global search pages.  Year on year IWD is certainly increasing in status.

Profits raised from the purchase of refreshments from J’s on Tuesday 8th March will be donated to Rising Sun, a voluntary organisation in Kent addressing domestic violence and providing services for women, children and families.  The Charity seeks to challenge attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate domestic violence, and through their work, promote healthy and non-abusive relationships.

Please do make time in your morning on Tuesday 8 March for a coffee break and chat, to support International Women’s Day and Rising Sun.