Women of the world take centre stage for feminist show at the Southbank

A two-day programme on feminism and gender equality will see some of the movement’s biggest names take to the stage for International Women’s Day 2019.

Women of the World are hosting events at the Southbank Centre across two days, which pose questions for modern feminism asking one key question on each day: ‘What now?’ And ‘What next?’

The WOW Foundation was created by Jude Kelly CBE and the festivals began in the UK in 2010 to celebrate women and girls.

They take a look at what prevents them from achieving their potential, raising awareness globally of the issues they face, and discussing solutions together.

Ms Kelly said: “A seismic change in global women’s affairs is coming about, and we feel that everyone needs to be part of building a new gender equal world.

In pursuit of this the WOW movement, now a charitable foundation, is accelerating across the world – with two million people involved in festivals in 30 countries across five continents – more and more people want to celebrate the lives and achievements of women and urge gender justice forward.

“The WOW Festivals, Think Ins, Wowser Girls Clubs and our growing International Leaders Forum have established WOW as the most significant convener of women across the globe.”

Some of the world’s most renowned feminists, politicians and artists will be giving talks as well as performances to highlight the progress of gender equality.

On the Friday, highlights of the programme will be inspirational figures such as: Annie Lennox leading a conversation on global feminism and how local activism can turn into international solidarity; Julia Gillard, the first woman Prime Minister of Australia, talking about resilience and her mission to dispel the myths about female leadership and Gina Miller, the woman who successfully challenged the UK government’s authority to trigger Article 50.

On the Saturday, the programme attempts to answer the question: What’s Next? Here they will present some of the artists, thinkers, and activists who are bringing new thinking and modern ideas.

Speakers will include Sandi Toksvig; model and activist Munroe Bergdorf; author of Eve Was Shamed: How British Justice is Failing Women, Helena Kennedy QC; bestselling author Reshma Saujani and founder of Girls Who Code as well as Lily Allen in the wake of her book My Thoughts Exactly.

Women of the World will take place on March 8 and 9 and tickets can be bought on the Southbank Centre website.