Harwich and North Essex Labour Party are holding a Women’s Conference on 9 March 2019 from 10.30am to 3.00pm. The venue is: Kingsway Hall, 54 Kingsway, Harwich CO12 3JR.
Please note Registration will begin at 10.00 am.
The conference aims to celebrate International Women’s Day by exploring women’s issues, and hearing their voices at a local level, so that they are engaged and involved in politics. The theme of the event will be Empowering and building confidence of women across our constituency. The day will consist of speakers and workshops as follows:
‘Frowning at Potholes’ – talk by Rosalind Scott about what it’s like to be a local woman Councillor.
Get Women Organised at Workplace – Rebecca Rocket from Unite Community will talk about how women can organise themselves at workplace and benefits of joining unions.
Following workshops will explore:
How to win a community campaign – India Thorogood, Coordinator of the Community Organising branch of the Labour Party will explore offline and online community campaigns which will give practical skills to empower women to campaign.
Accessing and Exploring Adult Education Opportunities – Clare Hawkins and Sally Wilcox have worked in adult further and higher education for many years, with a particular interest in pre course educational and career guidance. This session will provide opportunities to find out about courses for adults locally and most importantly, to discuss how to turn initial ideas about what to do next into realistic and achievable plans.
Victims and survivors of sexual violence – CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. Alongside a wide range of specialist support services, CARA also delivers workshops, training, events and activism to raise awareness of sexual violence and push for change.
Women and care – Susan Hollinrake has worked in the field of social work and education. Women are more likely than men to work as paid carers or to offer their time as an unpaid carer for family or friends. The session will provide an opportunity for those involved in providing care, or considering becoming a carer – either paid or unpaid – to consider the effects caring has on them, how they manage the demands and to think in more depth about the way care is valued in this country.
This conference is the beginning of what we plan to take place around empowering women so we will be hoping to work with you the next steps at the end of the day. We are also hoping to close the event with a song from Katy Bingham-Best “The March of the Women” by Cecil Hamilton and Ethal Smyth.
There will be some refreshment provided at the event. There will also be some Indian vegetarian lunch available to purchase at £3.50 per person but you’re welcome to bring your own lunch if you want to. Also any contribution/donation towards the event would be welcomed.
Contact: Solma Ahmed – solmaahmed@yahoo.co.uk
Anja Lyons – anjalyons@sky.com
