Our volunteers have worked hard fundraising and planning all year to give Derby another uplifting IWD Festival – can you chip in to help us make more people feel great?
Support our Crowdfunder here
Derby has a HERstory of celebrating International Women’s Day going back over 100 years to the Suffragettes in our city. Volunteers work hard to deliver this annual heritage event to benefit the community and we need your support to keep the tradition alive!
This annual community festival makes a real difference in Derby. Visitors report benefits to their health and wellbeing, confidence, sense of empowerment and liberation; the event has inspired women and girls into new hobbies, sports, careers and activism, connected people with vital local support groups and charities as well as reducing loneliness by bringing communities together, celebrating diversity and broadening horizons. This year’s festival takes place on Saturday 9th March 12pm-4pm at Derby Arboretum followed by a women’s rights march into the city centre and onwards to an after-party from 5pm-11pm at Derby West Indian Community Centre with a mini ‘night market’ and She Speaks UK hosting powerful poetry and performances.
Can you make a pledge to help us make more people feel like this?
“Inspiring and motivational”
“This event had a brilliant effect on my mental health – I left feeling happier and more energetic than I had in a long time. It brought to my awareness just how many creative, inspiring, supportive women there are in my area and it was important for us all to come together to build our community”
“A fantastic event – smiling faces and food for the heart, mind and soul”
“I felt uplifted by the day. It was an incredible celebration and reminder of the women who fought for the rights we enjoy today. I feel inspired to do more to support campaigns for women and girls worldwide”
“This event was SO important in not only celebrating inspiring women, but to highlight how important it is to make a noise about issues women are STILL facing”
“Buzzing, diverse, important”
“My daughter who is 3 found the confidence to sing on the stage by herself. I want her to keep hold of that confidence by celebrating women’s achievements”
“I used to look up to pop stars but now I think my mum is actually really inspiring”
“It inspired my daughters about their careers, choices and gave them a chance to see what other women of the world experience”
“It was great to see the variety of info and activities available, especially the boxing and football where female participation is not really covered as much in the media as their male counterparts. I come every year and always go away feeling positive about the future, but also aware of the ongoing challenges that women and girls face”
“This event helped me to kick-start a project, painting female heroes and role models”
“Absolutely amazing for all genders and ages!”
“Relaxing, bright, cheerful”
“Fantastic atmosphere!”
