Women from across Greater Manchester celebrated International Women's Day at Oldham Coliseum Theatre in a return of the annual event in partnership with Jigsaw Homes Group.
Residents from Oldham were welcomed to the theatre by the Coliseum’s Chief Executive Susan Wildman and Head of Learning and Engagement Olivia Race before a movement workshop on the stage with multi-disciplinary artist Jade Williams.
Working with Jade, the women explored positivity, empowerment and teamwork through movement. The workshop culminated in the creation of a dance expressing positive thoughts towards their own bodies, appreciating what their bodies allow them to do and filling the room with positive energy.
Jade commented: "It’s been really inspiring to be here today, especially as a new mum, and how I’ve been able to celebrate my body becoming a mother as well. I’ve really enjoyed sharing this space with all these women and seeing how they have come together and opened themselves up to being creative."
Speaking after the workshop, Rusna Begum said: “This morning we were waiting in a group to come to the Coliseum and I didn’t know many of the women; I was feeling anxious and my chest was tightening up. When we got here and did the activity on the stage, and we got to know each other, I realised that everyone was a bit shy, just as I was, and so I felt confident again.
“It was nice getting it all out, communicating with everybody and having a bit of a laugh. We did a bit of an exercise, warmed up a bit, got sweating a bit! It’s nice coming out and mixing with everybody again, socialising rather than staying home. It’s a kind of relief.”
The Coliseum’s last International Women’s Day event with Jigsaw Homes Group took place in March 2020, just weeks before the UK first went into lockdown. With the theatre closed from March 2020 to June 2021 due to Covid-safety restrictions, the event unfortunately couldn’t take place in 2021.
Shopna, Suzia and Afroza Begum added: “Today was refreshing for the ladies who don’t usually go out, I think everybody enjoyed it. Especially after the lockdown and covid it was nice to get out and do things. Meeting different people and socialising, doing something different - that’s what we all needed.”
The global theme for 2022’s International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias, calling for a gender equal world, that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, and free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination; where difference is valued and celebrated.
Asmina Choudhury, Neighbourhood Engagement Officer for Jigsaw Homes Group commented: “The day was amazing, we all got to connect with each other and get to know everybody’s personality - be ourselves and believe in ourselves. It was a realisation that we’ve got the power, we can do the things we want to do.”
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