WRDA Celebrates International Women’s Day
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was ‘Solidarity Beyond Borders - Women for World Peace’. This is a demand to end violence both globally and at home and a call for solidarity in the face of wars across the globe as well as the violence women and girls face here in Northern Ireland
The International Women’s Day march and rally were held on 8th March. WRDA was proud to attend along with a wide range of feminist groups, LGBTQIA+ groups, Community allies, and Trade Unions. The rally had a really positive atmosphere and the energy to make change happen was palpable.
We heard from a wide range of speakers including Sonita Alizadeh and Brenda Gough. Sonita Alizadeh was sold into child marriage at the age of 10 and escaped at the age of 16 when her viral music video, ‘Daughters for Sale’, helped her secure a scholarship to study in the United States. Through her music and advocacy work, Sonita has campaigned for women’s rights and against child marriage. She has received the MTV Europe Music Generation Change Award and the BBC 100 Women award. A feature film ‘Sonita’ was released in premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the festival's World Documentary Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Sonita, who learned English upon coming to the U.S., graduated from Bard College in 2023. She is preparing to pursue a master’s degree in politics at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 2025.
Brenda Gough is a volunteer community gardener and Chairperson of award winning community garden, The Three Sisters Gardening Community Group West Belfast. Part of the "Reclaim the Commons" and "Revamp Your Alleys" networks, Brenda is also involved in the Sustainable Food Forum. She is pushing for "Growing Hubs" to be created, enabling communities to develop urban growing skills and these projects to be regarded as essential infrastructure."
After the rally we kept the positive energy going at the WRDA and Raise Your Voice stalls in 2 Royal Avenue. We’d like to thank Reclaim the Agenda for organising a fantastic event filled with hope and solidarity.