International Women’s Day 2006

Happy International Women\x92s Day, everyone!

Thought I might start off by listing a few events I\x92ve come across happening around the UK to commemorate the day. This isn\x92t an exhaustive list, just a few that have caught my attention.

Apologies for the length of this post but, hey, it\x92s International Women\x92s Day. Live a little!

LONDON RADICAL CHEERLEADERS \x96 TOYNBEE HALL, E1, 1.30PM

The London Radical Cheerleaders are an unfunded activist group that through creative strategies hope to engage people in discussing and discovering the ideologies and mythologies of patriarchal discourses and structures. We have a short, playful participatory performance planned for IWD to celebrate and acknowledge the women in our lives that inspire us, move us, support us, and love us. Women do not get enough recognition in this world! We will also be taking our feminist games and ‘gender pranks’ to the streets. Anyone can join in! We aim to involve the public in our actions. The LRC wear pink and black, so please feel free to dress up, and come have some fun with us.

We are meeting at 1:30 on the 8th March, IWD, in the Toynbee Hall courtyard, just off the top of brick lane, 28 Commercial Street, E1, to do our first performance at or outside the IWD lunch. We will then be on the move, taking our ‘gender pranks’ and feminist games with us.

FILM SHOWING (‘Take My Eyes’ – I. Bollain, 2003) \x96 BRISTOL, 8pm

On 8 March this year, let\x92s celebrate the feminists of all gender identifications who have fought and are still fighting now for a world where women and any other marginalised sections of society would be able to feel present, safe and accounted for. Let\x92s get together for a night to be with each other, socialise, network and expand the resistance.

Film at 8: "Take my eyes" (I. Bollain, 2003), discuss and socialise afterwards @ Kebele Kulture Project (14 Robertson Rd, Easton).

WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? – BRITISH MUSEUM, 6.30pm

This evening there will be a group discussion of the article in What Is Enlightenment? (WIE) magazine called ‘Where are the women?’ by Dr. Elizabeth Debold. The format of What Is Enlightenment? Cafe is a cafe-style facilitated discussion in a relaxed setting for open and engaging dialogue, with refreshments and vegan cakes included in the cost . The facilitator is Alison Manning who assisted Elisabeth Debold when she gave a talk at EnlightenNext in early February.

Dr. Elisabeth Debold author of the bestseller, Mother Daughter Revolution, and has also published numerous articles about human and moral development, gender issues, and girls’ self-knowledge and growth. She received her doctorate in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University, and is a founding member of the Harvard Project on Women’s Psychology and Girls’ Development, which was directed by Dr. Carol Gilligan. I thought it would be very interesting to discuss her article ‘Where are the women?’

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm , you can also stay for gourmet vegetarian dinner afterwards for an extra cost of £6

Cost: £8, with 50% off for 2nd ticket if you bring a friend. Cost includes refreshments and cakes.

You’ll need to read the article ‘Where are the women?‘ by Dr. Elisabeth Debold first. If anyone has any questions, they can email [email protected] or

tel 020 7288 7000.

BIRDS EYE VIEW FILM FESTIVAL \x96 IWD GALA \x96 NFT, 8.10pm

The Birds Eye View Film Festival is spread over a season in 2006. We launch at the National Film Theatre on International Women\x92s Day with a stunning selection of diverse and innovative short films, including *Oscar nominated* /Badgered/ from UK’s Sharon Colman (fingers and toes crossed for Sharon!) and UK premieres hot from Sundance.

The evening will be introduced by comedienne *ARABELLA WEIR* (The Fast Show, Does My Bum Look Big in This?). A directors Q&A will follow the screening, PLUS appearance from director Debbie Isitt (Confetti, starring Jessica Stevenson, Martin Freeman, Alison Steadman, Julie Davis \x96 to be released this April).

And finally, a free party for all ticket holders in the NFT filmcafe with sounds from London\x92s top female DJs. 10pm-midnight. www.birds-eye-view.co.uk