Jigsaw’s Neighbourhood Engagement Team united women across different communities for a special celebration for International Women’s Day.
Officer Minaz Aslam organised an event at the Holy Trinity Community Centre for around 50 women of different ethnicities to come together and share a cultural experience together.
Cllr Tafheen Sharif, the Civic Mayor of Tameside, attended the event alongside Ashton Pioneer Homes, members of Holy Trinity Primary School and Tameside Council.
She said: “Equality and inclusivity are values close to my heart. The event itself was fantastic as it brought together women from all backgrounds to mark International Women’s Day. It recognised the importance of being included, which not only empowers individuals but also enriches our communities.”
Women enjoyed a creative drama presentation and Bollywood dancing, organised by drama and dance facilitator Perveen Hussain, and received massages by local masseuse Woila Ramsey and henna tattoos by artist Saima Suleman.
Minaz said: “International Women’s Day is a global event that celebrates social, economic and cultural achievements of women and women’s equality. As this year’s theme was ‘inspire inclusion’, our event welcomed women from all different ethnicities and backgrounds including, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, South Africa, Syria, Yemen, Nigeria and Kurdistan, under one roof to celebrate together through performances, dance and culture.”
At the Dukinfield Hub Craft Café, residents celebrated International Women’s Day together by making peg dolls of inspirational women who all mean something special to them.
The creations included their mums, fashion and music icons and female leaders. The women also shared cake and had lots of fun crafting and celebrating the day together.
Resident Sheila Caldecott said, “It was a great activity to take part in and it made everyone involved consider the women who inspire them and why they are such important role models in our lives”.
In Oldham, Officer Asmina Choudhury celebrated this special day with 30 women and seven volunteers who took part in an inspirational event encouraging women to believe in themselves.
Guest speaker and resident Selina Begum joined the ladies at Anchor Mill Business Centre and shared her journey in setting up her tailoring business to help inspire the women. They also all took part in craft activities, enjoyed an exciting prize draw and ate tasty food.
The event was part funded by Jigsaw’s Neighbourhood fund and was an opportunity for residents to meet new people and help improve their wellbeing.
Resident Asma said: “I’m so happy that I can find places to go to and meet new people – we need more of this! You don’t know how much this means to me, rather than being on my own at home I’d rather be here. Thanks to Asmina for arranging all this.”
For more information about IWD, visit: www.internationalwomensday.com
