Women and Work is the theme for this year's celebration of International Women's Week in Tower Hamlets. There are over 35 diverse events across the borough demonstrating the contribution of women to the community.

SATURDAY 1 MARCH: WOMEN'S APPRECIATION DAY
Jagonari – W.E.R.C & Elm Women's Link

London Muslim Centre, 46 Whitechapel Road, E1

10.30am – 2.30pm FREE 020 7650 3000/07958 409881
Women & Work – Baroness Pola Uddin and Councillor Denise Jones will speak about their careers, Exhibition depicting women of achievement throughout history, Information stalls by organisations providing support on employment and training, Workshops on environmental issues, Business training advice & support by local business women, Women may advertise their businesses and a Local Beauty Parlour will demonstrate how they train women in health & beauty to gain qualifications leading on to long term employment.
SUNDAY 2 MARCH: WOMEN AND WORK
Kollun, 55 Ben Johnson Road, E1 4SA

11am – 4pm FREE 020 7790 0010/07960 166350
The event will celebrate the diversity of professional women and their non traditional occupations. There will be exhibition demonstrating different jobs and focussing on small businesses and the opportunity to join in discussions with a variety of women workers e.g. actress, journalist, dancer, singer, newscaster, nurse, councillor, teacher, policewoman and volunteer worker.; JOBS FOR THE GIRLS: A Tale of Women's Work in the East End
Raggel School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield Rd, E3 4RR

2pm – 5pm FREE 020 8980 6405
The event will include two performances and a display entitled 'Women and Work in Tower Hamlets' which will consist of a series of interviews with women who live or work in Tower Hamlets of all ages and ethnicity. The first performance at 2.15pm is an interactive workshop for children and families that looks at traditional roles for women over 100 years ago and the expectations for young women and girls in the Victorian East End. The second performance at 3.30pm will be a play (suitable for over 16's) by Chris Bennion exploring women's struggle to break out of a 'traditional role' at the turn of the 20th Century
MONDAY 3 MARCH: OPEN DAY - NEW LINKS Women's Support Group
Bow Methodist Church, 1 Merchant Street, E3 4LY

12noon – 6pm FREE 020 8983 5823/07949 489108
The open day aims to promote self-development, self-esteem and create a place for women and their children to socialise and relax. There will be massage therapy, ear acupuncture for stress release, manicure & pedicure therapy, a laughter workshop, life coaching by inspirational speakers, and stalls promoting healthy eating.
TUESDAY 4 MARCH: WOMEN'S HEALTH & EDUCATION EVENT
Black Women's Health & Family Support with the Zacchaeus Project

Walter Newby Centre, Bethnal Green Methodist Church, Approach Rd, E2 9JP

10am – 3pm FREE 020 8980 3503/020 8983 1568
This event will provide educational, health, cultural and entertainment activities for older women and younger women focussing on the benefits of ESOL classes, adult education classes and general health issues. Speakers will give advice and information and celebrate the achievements of individual women. The event takes place in conjuction with Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust.; WOMEN & WORK IN THE ISLE OF DOGS
Island Neighbourhood Project & Docklands Women's Group

Club 55, Stewart Street. E14 3JH

11am – 1.30pm FREE 020 7987 7930
Women will present their work in education, health and crafts and show how through a wide range of activities and training opportunities they can develop their networking, skills and self confidence and open up new chances of employment.; WOMEN'S FILM SCREENING Women's Health and Family Services The Brady Arts Centre 192-196 Hanbury Street, E1 5HU 6pm – 9pm FREE but donations welcome 020 7377 8725 A Screening of a series of short films on the lives of women around the world focussing on the theme of empowerment, made by the Television Trust for the Environment, followed by discussion and refreshments.
WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH: GETTING ON – Training for Work Workshop
Poplar Harca, The Linc Centre, 70 Fern Street. E3 3PR

12.30pm – 4.30pm FREE 020 7538 5748
The workshop will help participants to achieve self-confidence and self-esteem. The focus will be to deliver training and motivational guidance for women wishing to return to work and to offer help and support both practical and emotional in the endeavour to gain paid/volunteer/work experience employment.; GIRLS TO WOMEN – WOMEN TO GIRLS – Cubitt Town Youth Project
Island House Community Centre, Roserton Street. E14 3PG

5pm – 8pm Ł1.00 for raffle ticket 020 7531 0310
Workshops to encourage mothers and daughters to achieve their goals and gain employment, and opportunities to consult a Beauty Therapist, Chiropodist and Social Entrepeneur.
THURSDAY 6 MARCH: OPENED DOORS
Will Crooks Tenants & Residents Association and Linkage Plus

Community Centre, Wades Place, Poplar, E14 0DB

11am – 2pm FREE 020 7093 3030/020 7515 8906
For several years a very successful ESOL course for women was run in the community centre assisted by Tower Hamlets College. At this event we will invite these women back to share with us the opportunities opened to them through their improved knowledge of the English Language. Local women who need the incentive of others success stories will be also invited.; WOMEN'S WORK FAYRE; Alpha Grove Project, Alpha Grove, E14 8LH; 11am – 3pm FREE 020 7538 1714; TEA BREAKS
Stitches in Time, Dora Hall, Dora Street. E14
10am – 4pm FREE 020 7987 6164 A display of textile work by Shadwell Women's Group and 5 ESOL groups and 2 elders groups. There will also be a sewing workshop, puppet workshop and show, refreshments and reminiscence recording workshops of the world of women's work from the 1940s to the 1990s.; INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S WEEK CELEBRATION
St Hilda's East Community Centre, 18 Club Row. E2 7EY

11am – 2pm FREE 020 7739 8066
The event will include talks and workshops to celebrate the achievements of women and encourage more women to get involved in working in the local community. The talks will be given by our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Coral Rumble author & published poet, & Naseem Khan OBE well known writer & researcher and chair of Friends of Arnold Circus. A workshop for women who would like to set up their own business will be run by a local caterer and professional childminder. Plus information stalls on health, education, training, childcare and employment as well as a free celebratory lunch.; WHAT WOMEN WANT
George Green School, 100 Manchester Road. E14 3DW

4pm – 6pm FREE 020 7987 6032
The Girls and Young Women's Group will hold a Careers & Professionalism event that will focus on the wide range of professions that women in Tower Hamlets currently work in and raise awareness of the opportunities that may be considered as non-traditional occupations. The event will showcase a variety of jobs with special guest speakers, information stalls and interactive workshops.
FRIDAY 7 MARCH: HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
Community of Refugees from Vietnam – East London

Dockland Settlement Centre, 197 East Ferry Road, E14 3BA

11am – 4pm FREE 020 7538 4986
Activities for Vietnamese women and children to promote health and well-being, increasing physical activity, healthy eating, improving oral health and co-ordinating the delivery of effective health trainers and peer education programmes.; WOMEN IN ACTION
Tower Hamlets Sickle Cell and Thallasaemia Centre

St Margarets House, 21 Old Ford Rd, E2 9PL

12noon – 4pm FREE 020 8981 9603
The event aims to promote self-employment amongst women. Women who have successfully set up their own businesses will give talks, run workshops, answer questions and motivate other women especially those caring for people with sickle cell and thallassaemia.; MUDCHUTE PAMPER DAY
Mudchute Childrens Centre, Pier St, Isle of Dogs. E14 3HP

10am – 3pm Ł1.00 020 7531 4334
Highlighting the achievements of women in Alternative Therapy related work by providing a variety of therapies that will allow women taking part to feel 'pampered and special'. Local practitioners will provide Massage and Reike sessions, Reflexology and Relaxation sessions.; CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2008
Lincoln Area Regeneration Group

The Linc Centre, 70 Fern Street. E3 3PR

10am – 4pm FREE 020 7538 5748
Workshops to discuss potential barriers to women entering & returning back to work. Lone parent advisors offering support & guidance. Henna hand painting. Beauty therapies. Healthy alternative Asian cookery with demonstrations and taster sessions. Advice and guidance on benefits. Sure Start stall. Face painting. Childrens workshops. Puppet making.
SATURDAY 8 MARCH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: CULTURE KITCHEN TOWER HAMLETS 2008
Women's Environmental Network

Wapping Women's Centre, Philchurch Place, off Pinchin Street. E1 1PJ

11am – 3pm FREE 020 7481 9004
A networking and information sharing event to celebrate International Women's Day with activities for women and children on plant pot decoration, food growing, real nappies and fruity beauty. The main theme will be food. There will be a Q&A session with expert community food growers Sufia Alam and Lutfun Hussian. A member of the Wapping Women's Centre Business Enterprise Scheme will also give a talk on setting up and running a local business and the girls group will exhibit their photography project. A sumptuous healthy feast from local organic ingredients will be served.; SUPPORTING THE PROCESS
Spread the Word Writing Course

The Women's Library, LMU, Old Castle Street. E1 7NT

8, 15 March, 5, 19 April, 3 May 10.30am – 4pm Ł80/Ł50 concs.
This six session course is aimed at women writers of all genres keen to understand the motivational and support frameworks crucial to writing. The course will be run by Jackee Holder, professional Life Coach who will work with a small group discovering new ways to increase creative output. Please apply by sending a short letter explaining why you want to attend and what issues you feel are blocking your writing to Spread the Word, 77 Lambeth Walk, SE11 6DX or email abi@spreadtheword.org.uk by 18 February 08.; ASIATICA
Globe Bengali Mohila Samity, Canal Club, Waterloo Gardens, E2 9HP

11am – 6pm FREE 020 8983 3527
An opportunity for women and girls and families to come together with workshops, arts and crafts stalls, exhibitions, hair and beauty treatments, music and dance. The event will encourage women to develop their skills and build confidence to participate in the community and express themselves.; BE COUNTED
Amaal Girls Group, Brick Lane Youth Development Association

Osmani Youth Centre, Vallance Road. E1 5AB

2pm – 5pm FREE 020 7377 8429
'Be Counted' will feature a 3 hour programme acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of local women in Tower Hamlets. The event will include a presentation by BLYDA & Elite Youth highlighting provisions for women and their achievements, Dance performance by a young woman dance artist, presentations by successful business women, a look at the history of 10 women who took up non-traditional occupations, information and advice stalls around child care, ESOL, job search and training, healthy refreshments and a free health MOT.; CONFERENCE: The Role of Bangladeshi Women in British Society
Bangladesh Mohila Sanstha

Brady Arts Centre, 192 – 196 Hanbury Street, E1 5HU

2pm – 5pm FREE 020 7364 7900
The conference aims to identify the overall situation of Bangladeshi women in education & employment, the barriers encountered, and ways to overcome problems. The programme includes talks, workshops, advice sessions & refreshments.; CONCERT: Songs for Women's Rights
Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street. E1 5HU

5pm – 8pm FREE 020 7375 3689/020 7364 7900
Women dancers, singers and writers present a musical performance with songs, poetry & drama to celebrate International Women's Day. An exciting show case of highly talented women and girls.; WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE DAY Showcasing Women in Business
Limehouse Project, LIFRA Hall, Halley Street. E14 7SS

11am – 4pm FREE 020 7538 0075
Event with speakers and stalls with information in training & support, International Cuisine, Arts and Craft, Fashion & Jewellery, Health, Beauty, Alternative Therapies & Healthy Living. Performance by the Whipper Snappers – all women drum band.; IWD EXTRAVAGANZA
Project Space and New Avenues Youth & Community Project

Swanlea School, Brady Street. E1

3pm – 5pm FREE 07958 503184
Showcase of a variety of performances by girls and young women plus workshops in drama and dance, and stalls exhibiting a wide range of activities. Women of different cultural and religious backgrounds will be celebrating the diverse community of Tower Hamlets.
SUNDAY 9 MARCH: ARTISTS TALK: Sanchita Islam; Beside Tower Hamlets Befriending Scheme, 1 Merchant Street, Bow E3 4LY; 12.30 – 4pm FREE 020 8980 9787; WOMEN'S DAY ON THE FARM
Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street. E1 5AR

12noon – 4pm FREE 020 7247 8762
The annual opportunity to showcase the work of the highly successful Coriander Club; a pioneering women's group which gives socially excluded Bengali women the opportunity to socialise, share recipes and health concerns and grow giant exotic vegetables. The group will be on hand to share their gardening tips, give tours of the Farm and discuss their work. Visitors can learn how to grow tasty vegetables and pick up plants to brighten up their window boxes and balconies.

Please note that this programme of events in Tower Hamlets for International Women's Week may be subject to alteration and it is advisable to ring and check beforehand.

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