Feature Story: Bristol Women's Voice

Bristol Women’s Voice is a grassroots charity working to make women’s equality in Bristol a reality. We campaign on a diverse range of issues – from health and economic inequality to disability and women’s safety – and bring women together from across Bristol to influence practice and policy change across the city. 

It is the 10th anniversary of our annual International Women’s Day event this year, which we are excited to be hosting in-person again on Saturday 5th March. Around 1,000 women joined us for the inaugural event at the M-shed in 2013. Now, a wonderful variety of workshops, stalls, speakers and entertainment packs out City Hall, with up to 3,000 women usually attending.  

But our mission remains the same: to amplify the voices of women from all backgrounds and communities in Bristol, and to celebrate and showcase the achievements of women in the city and beyond. It is a time to remember that wherever we have come from, whichever paths we have walked, we are all united by our goal to make the world a more equal place for women and girls. 

Break the Bias 
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Break the Bias’ and so we will be using this time to raise awareness of gender stereotyping and discrimination in all its forms, as well as thinking about how we can tangibly challenge the biases that so often hold women back. 

According to the UN, almost 90% of men and women globally are biased against women. This impacts women in all areas of their lives – from earning less than their male peers in the workplace and being burdened with caregiving duties to being sexually harassed on the streets and disproportionally affected by domestic abuse.  

We know that advancing gender equality will only happen by taking an intersectional feminist approach, which means recognising how other forms of inequality – race, disability, religion, sexuality, poverty - intersect with gender inequality and impact women’s experiences of that. 

This is why it is so important that we bring together as many women as possible from different communities and walks of life for our International Women’s Day event. So that we can listen to each other, learn from one another and stand in solidarity with each other.  

We welcome all self-identifying women, men and non-binary people to join us on the day. All we ask is that attendees give priority to women and girls if there are limited spaces in workshops and that they come ready to listen, learn and enjoy the celebration. 

So how can people get involved with International Women’s Day this year? 

Get involved with IWD 2022 

In the run-up to the day, we are asking women to share with us their experiences of gender discrimination and any times they have challenged the bias. By sharing their stories on our website and social media, we hope to raise awareness of the many challenges and biases women face as a result of their gender, and to show women that they are not alone in their experiences. Please email media@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk if you would like to share your experience with us. 

The day promises to be a lively, inspiring and celebratory event for all who attend, with the line-up so far including: 
- a podcast and radio workshop from FEM FM 
- a self-defence class from Sister Courage 
- a therapeutic yoga class for sexual violence survivors from SARSAS 
- a block-printing workshop 
- a panel on the Mayoral Referendum in partnership with Bristol Ideas. 

Bristol Women’s Voice will also be holding a roundtable where women can come and tell us what they want and need from us, and where they would like to see us focus our campaigning efforts.  

As a small grassroots organisation, we couldn’t do what we do without our incredible volunteers and there will be plenty of volunteering opportunities on the day. These range from stewarding and sitting in on workshops, to blogging and photography. If you are interested in helping on the day or would like to find out more, please do get in touch with us. We will cover refreshments and travel expenses on the day – info@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk. 

Beyond the day, there are some simple things we can all do to ensure we are breaking the bias all year round: 
- Recognise our own unconscious biases and challenge them 
- Call out sexism, stereotyping and discrimination when we see it – whether in the media and advertising or among our friends and peers 
- Listen to women’s experiences of discrimination to understand where they show up and if they are being impacted by intersecting factors 
- Celebrate the success and achievements of other women. 

You can contact BWV about training in these areas if this would be of help to you or your organisation: info@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk  

A final reminder that our International Women’s Day event is open to everyone. Attendees are very welcome to bring their children and there is a free creche available in two-hour slots throughout the day. We will also arrange transport and provide interpreters for key languages including British Sign Language.  

We strive to be as inclusive as possible and welcome any suggestions around what would make this celebration a more inclusive and accessible event for everyone. We hope you will join us at City Hall on 5th March and help us #BreakTheBiasBristol.