International Women’s Day 2024
Friday 8 March
There has been over a century of history and change since the first International Women’s Day (IWD) was held in March 1911. IWD isn’t country, group or organisation specific. It’s a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging women’s equality.
Join us at Depot for a series of events to celebrate International Women’s Day. Vindication Swim is a feature film telling the remarkable true story of Mercedes Gleitze. In 1927 Gleitze became the first British woman to swim the English Channel, and in doing so challenged the oppressive social structures of 1920s Britain. On Monday 11 March we will be joined for a special Q&A screening with members of the cast and crew.
COPA 71 explores the unofficial Women’s World Cup that saw international football teams gather at Mexico City’s sun-drenched Azteca Stadium in August 1971. Dismissed by both FIFA and domestic football associations around the world, the tournament was largely erased from history. This thrilling documentary shines a light on the monumental sporting event.
On Saturday 9 March, in memory of Wilma de Jong, we present afternoon of short films made by alumni from The University of Sussex exploring female issues, as well as a selection of shorts chosen by the Lewes Soroptimist Society about women projects they support across the world.
From 2 March we will be showcasing a photographic exhibition of Eritrean women who fought for their country’s freedom from 1961-1991. There will be an accompanying ticketed talk on 8 March, International Women’s Day.
We can’t wait to welcome you for this fantastic programme of events!
Films for International Women’s Day 2024
Photography Exhibition: Eritrean Women at War
Eritrean Women at War
A photographic exhibition of Eritrean women who fought
for their country’s freedom from 1961-1991.
Depot Studio
2nd Mar 10:00 – 17:00
3rd Mar 14:00 – 17:00
8th Mar 18:00 – 19:30 with ticketed talk
9th Mar 10:00 – 17:00
10th Mar 10:00 – 17:00
“Eritrea was an Italian colony from 1890 to 1940. After the defeat of Mussolini in World War II, Eritrea came under British administration for 12 years until 1952. The United Kingdom and the United States, under the auspices of the United Nations, federated Eritrea with Ethiopia against the will of the Eritrean people.
Emperor Haile Selassie abolished the UN federation and ruled Eritrea through force and torture. The Eritrean armed struggle for independence commenced in 1961 and successfully concluded in 1991.
Over the course of thirty years of armed conflict against colonialism, women actively participated in the fight, achieving gender equality on the battlefield. Remarkably, more than 30% of the freedom fighters were women who served in various roles, such as battlefield leaders, fighters, doctors, communications officers, mechanics, and trainers.
Their significant contributions played a crucial role in the ultimate success of the struggle for Eritrean independence.”
Mebrak Ghebreweld
Director of Diversity Resource International
Talk: Women for Global Peace and Sustainability
Friday 8 March, 18:00 – 19:30
In Collaboration with Diversity Resource International.
Join us for a series of talks to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, under the title ‘Women for Global Peace and Sustainability’ and featuring the following speakers:
Nardos Michael
Speaker – “Because of her, I can”
Nardos Michael was born to Eritrean freedom fighters who immigrated to the UK in 1992 when she was just four. Now a 36 year old mother of two, Nardos is an Executive Assistant from London working within the Insurance sector, and also represents the National Union of Eritrean Women UK as chairwoman.
Dr Janet Baah
Speaker – “African women: Actors and Agents of change in History and today”
Leader, educator, researcher, and activist, she founded and leads Manna Education FoundationDr Baah works as an Education and Development consultant and a research associate at the University of Sussex; serves as a Councillor and a Governor, and trains and mentors African liberals. She will offer her perspective on the challenges and opportunities for African women in their quest for liberty, justice, and harmony.
Sonja Baksi
Speaker – “Celebrating global initiatives: women for positive change”
Sonja joined the NHS when it was 10 years old and worked in it over 40 year period. Consultant in Community Paediatrics, served a year on secondment in Dept Health the year regulations for Children Act were being written. Served on committee of British Association of Community Paediatrics and lectured widely around UK. Member of European Society of Social Paediatrics and met with colleagues in various cities abroad. Was on first CND march 1958 and founder member of Medical Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons and still working with group of doctors on this issue. In retirement enrolled at Sussex University and read for a B.A. in Cultural Studies. On completion worked with my husband on presentations on a wide range of topics for Lewes u3a and other u3a branches and for organisations locally and in London.
Dr Juliet Millican
Moderator
Juliet’s work is centred around the triple nexus of humanitarian response, development and peacebuilding. As an educationalist she has been involved in community, non-formal and higher education and peacebuilding, nationally and internationally, for nearly 30 years and undertaken multiple consultancy roles in facilitation, project management, civic education and organisational development in Africa and the Middle East.
She has worked at universities in the UK and run learning journeys for the Foreign and Development Office (FCDO) on civil society, education, climate, conflict and Systems Thinking and hosted large scale inter-agency meetings for WFP, UNICEF, the World Bank and FCDO. She currently co-ordinates a small UK based NGO which supports front line community responders globally in the context of disaster and displacement.