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YORK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK

York International Women’s Week (YIWW) is an annual community event spanning International Women’s Day, 8th March.

Pakistan Disaster Appeal: As many of you will know, each year YIWW collaborates with Khwendo Kor via the UK organisation Friends of Khwendo Kor (FROK). The area KK work in is one of the places hit by the floods. There has been major loss of life and people have lost their homes and livelihoods. The impact is immense.

FROK has been in touch with Khwendo Kor who are at the forefront of the humanitarian response in the areas where they work. They have launched their own appeal in Pakistan (www.khwendokor.org) and FROK has launched an appeal here in the UK. Please consider giving via the Just Giving Flood Relief page – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/floodrelief4FROK

We know these are tough times in the UK and not everyone will be able to donate but Khwendo Kor are aware that our hearts are with them in their efforts.

YIWW is organised by volunteers based in York, UK, with growing links to women’s organisations in other parts of the world. The coordinating group decide on a theme, send out a Call for Events in Autumn, and pull together the Programme from the submitted events. 

Our core guidelines are: events open to all self-identified women (although most events are open to people of all genders); organisers to address accessibility (including physical, mental, and economic factors); and events must be not-for-profit. 

The YIWW programme in March 2022 offered over 30 events. Two thirds of these events addressed the main theme of ‘climate feminism’ in some way, with many highlighting the political and personal challenges of the climate emergency via talks or creative exploration, while others focussed on sustainability by reusing clothes and fabric, or avoiding plastic. The open strand events included reproductive rights, Afghani maternal and child health, an Indian feminist library, music, new local fiction, extraordinary York women and personal achievement. All events were organised locally, though many offered specific connections to work in other countries (India, Uganda, Kyrgyzatan, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, NW Pakistan). Many thanks to all the volunteer event organisers who put so much effort into YIWW.

More info: Check out YIWW2022 Programme via the yiww2022-review. Follow up YIWW2022 events via our ‘events extra’ page As it Happened 2022 for info and contact details of many of the participating organisations. See the YIWW Archives for Programmes from the past 14 years. Browse the feminist Resources page. Find out about International Women’s Day.

YIWW2023: Each year, YIWW spans International Women’s Day, 8th March, focusing on women’s rights and gender justice, as well as celebrating women’s achievements. YIWW is very keen to keep the programme evolving. We welcome new people who may not see their lives or interests reflected in YIWW2022, as well as those organisers who have offered events over the years and been such a vital part of the development of YIWW. If you think you might be interested in joining the volunteer coordinating group, email yorkwomensvoices@gmail.com for an informal discussion. We also have a low-volume mailing list, please use the same email if you would like to be informed about YIWW2023 with very occasional messages about other women’s events. Our hope is that YIWW, along with the thousands of other International Women’s Day activities, will be part of the ripples of feminism that, together, create a sea-change in the lives of self-identified women around the world.

Keep in touch with YIWW via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by revisiting this website.