Celebrate International Women’s Day 2022

The University of Suffolk is preparing to host a special event to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).

The theme for IWD 2022 is #BreakTheBias and centres around celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality.

The event will take place at the new flagship building, The Hold, on the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus, on 8 March. It is free to attend and open to all.

Debra Gingell, Project Manager in the Business Engagement, Careers and Employability Directorate at the University of Suffolk said, “I am thrilled to be collaborating with some incredible women at the University of Suffolk, The Hold, Epicentre Haverhill and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to organise this wonderful event to celebrate women as part of International Women’s Day.  It feels empowering to support a campaign to #breakthebias because there is no room for bias in a world that is equal, diverse, and inclusive! Our inspiring keynote speakers will share their personal experiences and offer powerful advice on how it is possible to fulfil your potential as a woman in business.”

Nicola Beach, Chief Executive of Suffolk County Council, said: “We are very excited to be hosting the International Women’s Day Conference at The Hold, our new archives and heritage centre on Ipswich Waterfront.

“Working in collaboration with University of Suffolk, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and the Epicentre, it will bring together extraordinary women speakers from different spheres to share their knowledge and experience and inspire women to realise their own aspirations.

“Suffolk Archives will also be showcasing women’s history at the new free exhibition at The Hold ‘Women Don’t Do Such Things!’ telling the stories of pioneering Suffolk women whose actions changed the world.”

Kelly Boosey from EpiCentre said “We are delighted to be partnering with the University to bring women in Suffolk together to celebrate IWD and to compliment the work we have been doing with our own ‘Changes – Transforming Women in Business’ events.  We advocate keeping the conversation alive and working collaboratively in the region to inspire a new audience of people to continue to challenge the unconscious norms that still exist in the gender gap debate.”

Babita Devi, also from EpiCentre added “The most significant factor impacting success for women in the workplace is feeling the need to dilute our contribution to ‘fit in’. Men and women operate differently, and we should stand proud in our differences. I frequently coach female business owners who are operating in what has traditionally been a male-dominated environment. And one of the key factors getting in the way of our success is our own self-belief of what we believe is possible.”

Tickets are available to book via Eventbrite by following this link: Celebrate International Women’s Day at the Hold, Ipswich Tickets, Tue 8 Mar 2022 at 15:00 | Eventbrite