The Council host International Women's day event

On Monday 3 March, the Town Hall opened its doors to host a networking event for International Women's Day.

The day saw a panel of local women speak about their experiences in the workplace and how they have implemented change.

This year's theme was 'Accelerate Action' and community members from across Preston were invited to attend to listen to the key speakers and have the opportunity for networking.

This showcased the number of strong female role models present within the community and the collective drive towards equality in Preston.

The speakers were:

• Mrs Amanda Parker - His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire
• Superintendent Sally Riley - Lancashire Constabulary, Chair of Inspire - The Women in Policing Network
• Miss Zaynab Jogi - Self-Defence Trainer and Mountaineer
• Dr Kailash Parekh - MBE, Community Champion and Educationalist
• Dr Chinyere Ajayi - Course Lead at the School of Health, Social Work and Sport, UCLan
• Mrs Sarah Threlfall - Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Community and Wellbeing at Preston City Council

There were also stalls shining a light on the work carried out in the community by:

• Lancashire Women
• Sahara
• Ashton Food Aid and Penwortham Care and Share representing Preston Food Network

According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress it will take 133-years to reach full gender parity, which is roughly five generations from now.

One of the best ways to forge equality is to understand what works and do more of this faster. 

More than 50 women attended this networking event, and they were catered for by participants of the Lady Boss course - a programme engaging with a group of 10 non-registered, home-based female cooks from minority communities who were interested in gaining a food safety qualification, registering with the local authority for food safety purposes, and incorporating as a business.

By the end of the programme, all members had achieved a Level 2 Food Safety certification.

The food was delicious and off the back of this success, they received another booking for an upcoming event in Preston.

Reflecting on the event, Councillor Nweeda Khan, Preston City Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Social Justice said:

It was an honour to be part of the International Women's Day networking event today, and it was inspiring to hear from women from different career paths contributing towards a change in the workplace.

Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.