The role of inspirational women and their achievements is being celebrated during March next year, as part of Barking and Dagenham’s seventh annual Women’s Empowerment Month.

A highlight of the month-long celebration is the 2022 Women’s Empowerment Awards, which will honour and celebrate the borough’s amazing and inspirational women.

The awards cover eight different categories and include: Business woman of the year, Female parent or carer of the year, Female volunteer of the year, Leadership award, Women’s community group of the year, Young woman of the year, Outstanding woman of the year and the Lifetime achievement award.

Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills & Aspirations and Member Development, said: “The contribution of the borough’s amazing women to the community life of Barking and Dagenham is immense, but it can sometimes be often overlooked.

“It is essential we acknowledge and celebrate the different roles these amazing women play in helping to build pride, respect and cohesion in our borough.

“We want all residents to take a moment to nominate deserving women to help celebrate the role they play in our borough.”

Nominations for the awards are now open until Monday 31 January 2022 with full details available online at www.lbbd.gov.uk/wem