By Courtney Stevens
Staff and students at De Montfort University are marking international women’s day (IWD) today(TUE,MARCH8) by hosting a number of events throughout the week.
IWD is part of women’s history month and aims to celebrate women and raise awareness of gender inequality.
The theme for this year’s IWD is #BreakTheBias which is about challenging gender bias, discrimination, and inequality in all areas of life.
Celebrations started yesterday with a body positivity mannequin which students could stick positive messages onto.
There was also placard making and a silent protest on the campus building steps to show solidarity with women across DMU and the world in general.
Other events include talks with inspirational women around breaking the bias, sexual health, and female perceptions of the workplace.
Bradie McDaid, the De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) advice and well-being coordinator, said he had put a lot of thought into the day’s events.
“I think DSU tends to be as inclusive as possible, just under half of our students are female or female identifying,” he said.
“We want to make sure that DSU is a safe space for everybody and that all people deserved to be encouraged.
“Our female students are valid, they are important, and they deserve to be celebrated.”
This year the International Women’s Day is focusing on the slow development of equality for women in other countries.
