Charity marks International Women's Day in Bristol

On Saturday 1st March, Bristol-based charity African Initiatives will be hosting an International Women's Rights Conference to celebrate International Women's Day (8th March). Held at Broadmead Baptist Church Conference Centre in central Bristol, the conference will bring together organisations and individuals working on issues facing women in the UK, Africa and Asia.

This annual community event will raise awareness of many diverse issues by featuring workshops from local, national and international organisations. Not afraid to cover controversial issues, last year’s workshops discussed female genital mutilation, gender inequality in the UK and many other thought-provoking subjects. This year, topics include forced marriage, sex work, the fashion industry and the effect that colonisation had on the rights of gay women. Special guest speakers include Maanda Ngoitiko, a Maasai woman from Tanzania, who is Director of an entirely female-led charity working with Maasai women and girls in Tanzania (picture of Maasai women attached). Over 100 members of the public are expected to attend, as well as representatives from many charities and NGOs.

Jose Sluijs-Doyle, the new Chief Executive of African Initiatives, says “Our International Women's Rights Conference is a great opportunity for members of the public to come and find out about important and topical women's rights issues, as well as to meet and network with like-minded people.”

Based in St Paul's Bristol, African Initiatives works to support local community-based groups in Tanzania and Ghana on projects like girls' education, women's rights and access to health care.

For more information on the conference or to attend, please contact Carrie Brassley on 0117 915 0001, or email carolineb@african-initiatives.org.uk, or visit www.african-initiatives.org.uk