THURROCK Council marked International Women’s Day on Thursday (8 March) with a two-hour event in the Council Chamber.
Women from a range of backgrounds spoke to the audience who were welcomed by Richard Waterhouse, the council’s Director of Transformation.
Among those speaking were: Julie Siddiqi, Executive Director of Islamic Society of Great Britain, on Reclaiming our Voice; Georgina Warwick, NHS Health Improvement, on was Women’s Health; and Farida Mukadam, from the Muslim Association of Thurrock, on was Women and Faith
Other speakers were Chief Executive of Thurrock Council for Voluntary Services, Kristina Jackson who spoke on the Meaning and Importance of International Women’s Day; and Monty Kirby, Thurrock’s 2009 Citizen of the Year, on Women’s Voices
Thurrock’s Portfolio holder for Communities, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Lynn Worrall closed the event saying how it was still important to “celebrate women’s achievements”.
She said: “Today gives us the opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made but also be mindful of the challenges that lie ahead.
“It is easy to forget the role that women play in our communities. Many women work through need and not choice.
“Women face tough choices every day and research shows that here in the UK women still face high levels of abuse and violence, gender inequality continues to be a massive problem that we must be prepared to tackle.”
From left (seated): Julie Siddiqi, Georgina Warwick, Farida Mukadam, Kristina Jackson, and standing Monty Kirby and Cllr Lynn Worrall
Well done Thurrock Council for celebrating this event. Finally Cllr Worrall gets out to show support for an important day for local women and local issues. I was quite impressed by this!! Keep up the good work.