This March, Barking and Dagenham residents are being invited to take advantage of a variety of free online events to mark the achievements of women past and present as part of Women’s Empowerment Month.

Now in its seventh year, the month-long programme of events celebrates the contribution that women and girls make to the borough and draws on the official themes marked by International Women’s Day and The United Nations International Women’s Day.

A wide range of creative sessions and events will unfold throughout the month to include a talk hosted by The White House with artist-in-residence Rachel Pimm; a series of poetry and writing workshops run through our Pen-to-Print programme; as well as a number of debates and discussion panels hosted by community partners including East End Women’s Museum, Excel Women’s Centre and Company Drinks. There’s even chance to catch the world premiere of a new film by Arc Theatre’s Raised Voices, filmed during lockdown, featuring young women from schools and colleges across the borough.



Monday 1 March is the deadline for nominations for the annual Women’s Empowerment Month Awards, which celebrates the achievements of women who live and work in Barking and Dagenham.

There are eight categories in total, including Businesswoman of the Year Award, Parent or Carer of the Year Award, Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Jodie Chesney Young Woman of the Year Award, named in tribute to the local teen who lost her life to knife crime.

Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, said: “There are many inspirational women in our borough and it is right that their achievements and valuable contributions are rightly celebrated during Women’s Empowerment Month.

“We have such a diverse and exciting programme of events this month, and I strongly encourage all residents to participate. Nominations also close for our Women’s Empowerment Awards, and I strongly encourage residents to nominate any inspirational women before the deadline on Monday 1 March.”

To nominate a local woman head over to lbbd.gov.uk/wem.

Nominees will be shortlisted before facing a judging panel, with the winner announced at The Women’s Empowerment Awards ceremony, which will take place later this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.