Hastings celebrates International Women’s Day 2021

Today (8 March) marks International Women's Day (IWD), a date celebrated globally each year that signifies the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also highlights the inequality that still impacts on women across the world.
Global campaigners for women's equality call for women's right to decision-making in all areas of life, equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end all forms of violence against women and girls, and health-care services that respond to their needs.

The United Nation's theme of IWD this year is 'Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world." The theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

An unusually high number of women hold leadership positions in organisations that serve Hastings. The Leader of the Council, the town's MP and the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner are all women. Organisations led by women include the borough and county councils, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, East Sussex Healthcare NHS trust, East Sussex College, Hastings and St Leonards secondary school academies, and several primary academies, as well as wide range of business and community leaders.

Cllr Kim Forward, leader of Hastings Borough Council, and Jane Hartnell, the council's Managing Director, are promoting International Women's Day and its significance while also celebrating the work of women in local leadership.

Cllr Forward, said,

"Much has changed in society since the first gathering for International Women's Day over a century ago in 1911. Since then, many women have achieved positions in leadership - I am one of a growing number of women elected to their local council but there is a long way to go. Only 36% of local authority councillors are women and an even smaller percentage of those lead their councils.  I will continue to encourage women and girls to put themselves forward in their workplaces, schools and colleges and communities, and help to create the change that they want to see.

"International Women's Day is a date we should all use to raise awareness, challenge inequality, and question the stereotypes that remain stubbornly present in society today. To mark this day, we will be turning Bottle Alley lights purple, green and white tonight. I am also proud to add my voice to promoting International Women's Day and I am joining in by sharing my #choose to challenge pledge on social media."

Jane Hartnell, said,

"I am thrilled to highlight and celebrate the excellent representation of women in senior positions across Hastings and in Sussex, but this is by no means a common picture in our country or throughout the world. We should all reflect today on how we can '#choose to challenge' persistent gender bias and help break the barriers that hold women back from contributing to a fairer and more equal world for all."

Cllr Judy Rogers, Lead Councillor for Equalities, said,

"I am proud to lead on equalities at the council and to ensure that all women and girls have the opportunity to achieve and have a voice."

Ann Kramer, Chair of Women's Voice Hastings who are a non-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation, run by women for women in Hastings & St Leonards, said,

"International Women's Day is a very important day for women. We celebrate what women have achieved but also highlight issues and disadvantages women still face. This year, Women's Voice is focusing on domestic abuse and coercive control. We've invited women to hang hearts on trees around Hastings and St Leonard's with information about abuse and messages of positivity and hope."