International Women's Day in South Tyneside

Prominent and inspirational females, both past and present, will come into the spotlight as South Tyneside Council and partners mark International Women's Day (8 March).

International Women's Day is a global movement celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality and encouraging more people to commit to help forge an inclusive world.

This year's International Women's Day marks a first for South Tyneside, with an all-women leadership team as well as a female Mayor and Mayoress in office.

South Tyneside is also represented in national government by two female MPs in the South Shields and Jarrow constituencies. A female also holds the position of Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria.

The 2022 campaign theme is #BreaktheBias, striving for a gender equal world and making a commitment to call out bias, smash stereotypes, break inequality and reject discrimination.

The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Pat Hay said: "We are certainly breaking the bias here in South Tyneside.

"In a first for South Tyneside, we have a strong team of women taking up the key positions in public service. With an all-women Council leadership, a female Mayor and Mayoress as well as women representing the Borough in national government and regional community safety, women are playing important roles in driving our communities forward.

"Through these roles we can inspire women of all ages and backgrounds to be all that they can be. Our residents, men and women alike, can take the opportunity and the information that this campaign brings to champion gender equality and promote a world that is free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination."

A series of events and activities are taking place in South Tyneside to mark International Women's Day.

On the build up to International Women's Day, a special exhibition focusing on the heroic self-sacrificing WWI Munitionettes is being held in The Word in South Shields.

Organised by local playwright Ed Waugh and including top female guest speakers, the event on 6 March gives an insight into this group of women who not only served the war effort on the home front but also played football to raise money for charity. Book tickets at www.theworduk.org

Volunteers from South Shields-based charity Bright Futures are also staging a community march in North Marine Park. The march is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner's Safer Parks Northumbria funding and forms part of the charity's Girls Standing Up! project. The project promotes female empowerment and raises awareness of the importance of young women's safety on streets and in local parks. For further information about Bright Futures, visit www.brightfuturesne.co.uk

This will be followed by South Tyneside Youth Service hosting girls' safety awareness raising activities in North Marine Park on 10 March, from 6pm to 8pm, thanks to further support from the PCC. Activities include a fitness session, photography art project and park trail.

South Tyneside Council is also installing a blue plaque in honour of local historian and photographer Amy Cecilia Flagg. Amy was well-known for her pictures depicting the devastation left by air raids on South Shields during the Second World War. The blue plaque is being fitted at her former family home, Chapel House in Westoe Village.

The Council's housing partner, South Tyneside Homes will also be shining a light on its women employees and apprentices who work in typically male dominated roles to mark both International Women's Day and Women in Construction Week.

South Shields Town Hall is also being lit up purple.

Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Tracey Dixon said: "International Women's Day is an important day that connects women all over the world and acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of women past, present and future. We are incredibly proud of what women have achieved in South Tyneside.

"Whether in government, sports, business or culture, there are many wonderful strong, confident local women who have inspired us and continue to make a significant difference to the lives of the people in our Borough and beyond every day.

"By rejecting inequality and supporting events such as International Women's Day, we can continue to help break the bias in our communities, workplaces, schools, colleges and universities and inspire women to achieve their full potential."

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year. It has occurred for well over a century with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people.

Men and women alike can support this year's International Women's Day. For further information about International Women's Day visit www.internationalwomensday.com