The WOW – Women of the World festival returns to the UK’s largest arts centre, Southbank Centre, on Thursday 8th of March coinciding with International Women’s Day.
Throughout history, many women’s achievements have gone unnoticed or unsung. I created WOW – Women of the World Festival to celebrate the formidable power of women to make change happen, to remind us of our history, to draw attention to injustice, to enjoy each other’s company and to encourage men to add their support as we set out to achieve a fairer world. – Jude Kelly
After a successful WOW 2011, which saw for example women’s rights supporter Baaba Maal presenting some of his favourite female artists (my review can be found here) WOW 2012 returns with a new set of amazing musicians and performers including Sinéad O’Connor, Katy B, Annie Lennox, Jess Mills and Emeli Sandé. The festival will also include the announcement of the long list for the Orange Prize for Fiction. Not to mention all the speeches, debates and performances that will be included in the day passes.
I’ll be participating in WOW 2012 at the following dates and times:
Thursday 8th March 2012, 2pm
Mentor
This will be a mass mentoring event with over a 100 mentors and mentees. This event will be launched with a speech from Cherie Blair. If you are interested in booking a place please contact: wowmentoring@southbankcentre.co.uk
Sunday 11th March 2012, 1.30pm
Global Feminism panelist
Women and men are fighting for gender equality all over the world, but all too often, non western feminists are left out of the dialogue. But what mistakes does western feminism make in a global context, and what can it learn from its non western sisters? Chair of gender studies at SOAS Dr. Nadje Al-Ali, blogger Ms Afropolitan and writer and commentator Nisreen Malik discuss, chaired by author and journalist Hannah Pool.
For more info and the event programme visit the WOW website and follow the #WOW2012 hashtag. I also recommend visiting Afri-Love and Belinda Otas for top picks that will help you plan your event schedule.
Hope to see you there!
Dionne says
How i wish i could be there! Hope it goes well and glad more people are exposed to your talents!
MsAfropolitan says
Thanks so much sis, it was great. You were (are) missed. x
WS says
Hi, I heard you speak with such passion at WOW, thought I would stop by your blog. I will post my comments on WOW soon.
MsAfropolitan says
Hi WS, thanks for the kind comment
WS says
Posted a few pics though not the best quality on my blog. I did want to write a commetary on the session but little time right now. However my question throughout the sessions was ‘Where is Religion’?
MsAfropolitan says
Thanks, I had a quick look for now. Nice pics!
Last year I attended a panel at WOW which was about religion and women/feminism featuring a Christian feminist preacher, an Islamic feminist activist and shaman. It was an amazing disussion. Religion is definitely a gender issue! How do you feel about it?