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YORK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK

A ‘long week’ of events and activities held annually around International Women’s Day, 8th March, focussing on women’s lives locally and globally and organised in York, UK 

 

York International Women’s Week has been held its present form for the past 5 years, with a strong legacy  of decades of YIWW. 

York’s Programme is based in the local community, with growing links to women’s organisations in other parts of the world. In Autumn each year a small group of volunteer coordinators come together to decide on a theme for the following year. We send out a Call for Events, and in the new year put together the Programme from the submitted events. In 2021, given the necessity for online events, we also organised technical training and support for event organisers and participants. This was very successful, and for 2022 we hope to develop this further with a Programme spanning in-person and online activities. 

Each year we welcome all women and everyone in support of them to join us to find out about women’s rights locally and globally and to be activated by art and cultural activities. We hope as many people as possible will come together to celebrate women’s achievements, to witness women’s struggles, and to work towards justice and equality for all. Most events are free, while some charge a small amount to cover costs or to support a women’s organisation.

There are many ways to get involved in YIWW:

  • Join the coordinating group. If you have some time and would like to consider joining the informal, friendly group of volunteers who organise the overall programme, check out the feedback for YIWW2021 and then feel free to email us for a no-obligation chat. The time commitment is mainly in September, January and March when we meet every three or four weeks. One of the most important tasks is to keep in touch via our internal group email and to take an active part in making ongoing decisions as YIWW comes together. Volunteers also take on various tasks singly or with others, for instance coordinating the Programme or taking responsibility for social media. We welcome all interested people who can spare some time, whether you are new to this kind of volunteering or you have specific experiences or skills to offer. 
  • Offer constructive comments on YIWW. Do you have ideas about the future of YIWW, especially in response to the YIWW2021 feedback report, or from your participation in YIWW? We’d love to hear your views. Help with publicity, for instance by distributing brochures in your neighbourhood or disseminating information via social media or in your organisation.
  • Offer an event. The Call for Events goes out each Autumn for submission by the following January. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be added please email YIWW. Or check this website in October.
  • Keep in touch via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by visiting this website. The Programme goes live in mid-February each year.

    To contact us with offers of help or with suggestions, or for information, email yorkwomensvoices@gmail.com.