International Women’s Week returns

International Women’s Week (IWW) was celebrated with events across campus, Coventry and Leamington Spa in Week 9.

Warwick Anti-Sexism Society (WASS), Students Taking Action on Congo, Women For Women International, Law Society, History Society, Politics Society, Anti-Racism Society, Amnesty, Oxfam Outreach and Warwick Hub all contributed to the organisation of the week.

Bollywood dancing, performance poetry, cake sales, politics and theatre were just some of the events that celebrated the achievements of women both today and in the past, while also acknowledging that gender equality is a long way off both in the UK and internationally.

The week started with Coventry Reclaim the Night on Saturday 1 March in Coventry city centre.  The all women’s march is organised in cities throughout the UK, but this was the first to be held in Coventry for over 30 years.

Warwick Anti-Sexism Society (WASS), along with members of Coventry University, helped to organise the event.

The current president of WASS, Hannah Seaman, said: “The march was very successful, around 100 women attended of all ages and backgrounds.

“About 30 students and staff members from Warwick attended.  We are already looking forward to organising next years march!”

The third performance of The Vagina Monologues of the week, at Bar Ei8ht in Leamington Spa, marked the end of IWW at Warwick for 2014.

11 members of WASS performed a play by Eve Ensler to raise money for Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

Louisa Ackermann, women’s officer of Warwick Student Union (SU), said: “Lots of societies have been working hard to make this Warwick’s biggest and best IWW ever, with all kinds of inspiring events.

“It is a great opportunity to get people thinking about gender politics and social equality in lots of different, fun ways – it puts the spotlight on inequalities we can often take for granted as ‘the way things are.”

IWW came just days after Cathryn Turhan was elected as president of the SU. She will be the first female to hold the role since Kat Stark, six years ago.