Women of the World Festival finished on Sunday, the conclusion of a six-day event held at the Southbank Centre, London. The event included exhibitions, workshops, guest speakers and performance by female artists, all celebrating women from all around the world and inspiring young individuals to have their say on the equality of women in the 21st century.
WOW is the largest women’s festival in the world, with over one million people involved across five different continents. Now in its sixth year at the Southbank Centre, the festival has given women a chance to discuss and highlight a range of different subjects in relation to gender equality.
Sister Sledge Performs
Kicking off on Tuesday, festival founder Jude Kelly, who is also artistic director of the Southbank centre, introduced the evening’s events. This saw an all-female DJ set from Gemma Cairney, an interview with Sister Sledge and award-winning Times columnist Caitlin Moran, who launched her new book ‘Moranifesto.’
Caitlin Moran called for revolution, not anarchy, as she read her favourite bits of ‘Moranifesto’, sparking humorous inspiration for change. Her discussion on feminism and politics also coincided with camel toes and masturbation. The hilarious Moran conveyed important messages which inspired the audience yet also caught their funny bone, which certainly gave the Festival a great kick-start.
Kelly encouraged the audience to “eat, drink and be merry” and enjoy the empowering atmosphere. She also stated that they were helping to make a difference.
Feeding Our Brains
BBC Radio 1’s ‘The Surgery’ presenter Gemma Cairney captivated the audience with her DJ set. With music from the likes of The Gossip, Spice Girls and Missy Elliott, the crowd was lively, as was the conversation.
“We just want to feed our brains, stimulate good conversation and take something away,” Cairney said as she summed up the importance of WOW festival.
“How can we give up when women have gone through so much and still not given up?” she asked.
British feminist writer and human rights activist, Natasha Walter, was also at the event on Tuesday talking with Cairney about the topic of feminism. She gave an insight into the worldwide issues of gender equality, “’the amazing thing about calling yourself a feminist is seeing how far you’ve come,” stated Walter.
American music group Sister Sledge were at the event throughout the week and also shared their comments with Cairney. The group, formed of sisters Debbie, Joni and Kim, debuted their new single Women are the Music of the World in the “Walk in Her Shoes” campaign on Sunday 6th March. Marching in solidarity for women around the world who take treks for water, the mass march raised money for those in need.
How Far Have You Come?
The crowd were “walking together towards unity”, said Joni. The event was symbolical, “we walked in the shoes of women who have struggled”. Working for women is a “a human rights issue, not just a woman’s issue,” said Debbie.
Other performances included a digital projection on the exterior of the Royal Festival Hall looking at a range of female perspectives via video footage, whilst artist Marvin Gaye Chetwynd showcased her premiere of her work ‘Here She Comes’.
WOW will return to the Southbank Centre next year for more inspiring talks.
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