FiLiA was invited to attend the Cross Cultural Women’s Group (CCWG) International Women’s Day event in Portsmouth. What a buzz! Many Women, stalls, discussions and scrumptious food - thank you to the organisers Shipa Ahmed Khan and Sadhia Amin!

Just a few of the groups that we were fortunate enough to meet whilst there …

Artist and activist Mandy Webb creates art inspired by her life experiences and uses them to raise awareness of certain topics such as Women’s rights, austerity and HIV. Environmental activism had a big part to play at the event with representatives raising awareness about #microplastics and asking people to ‘Join the Plastics Revolution’ by using the #Jetsam App to catalogue the plastics that you see out and about, and helps us to gather the data. We know that climate change disproportionately and differently affects Women - something that FiLiA would like to focus more on (ideas welcomed!). We also learned about Morsbags.com. The art of recycling fabric and creating a Morsbag which you then gift to someone. ‘Sociable. Guerrilla. Bagging.’

Carolyn was representing the Good Mental Health Cooperative, which promotes good mental health and wellbeing in the Portsmouth community.

We also got to chat with a representative for Stop Domestic Abuse who works in the Hampshire area, focusing on #FGM and harmful cultural practices. And my favourite stall (for all the right reasons) … #SheDeserves with a focus on FairTrade chocolate!

Thanks for making FiLiA feel so welcome #Portsmouth!

By LM