International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated every year on March 8th, it is a worldwide event that recognises the accomplishments of women in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. It is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about gender equality and advocate for positive change, and support groups that focus on empowering women. The purpose of International Women’s Day is to encourage worldwide engagement and collective action in advancing women's equality.   

Investing in women is not just a matter of human rights, but also a crucial step towards eradicating poverty. By implementing gender-responsive financing, we can ensure that women have equal access to financial resources and opportunities. Additionally, transitioning to a green economy and care society will not only benefit the environment but also empower women in various sectors. Lastly, supporting feminist change—makers is essential for driving positive social change and achieving gender equality. 

We had an incredible event for International Women’s Day in 2023! Call us ambitious but this year we want to build on that success and amplify the impact of our event, with plans to go bigger and better than before. We have organised three events in support of International Women’s Day, and we encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to attend these free events.  

The time for change is now! Join us this March 2024 for our International Women’s Day events as we rally behind the call to “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.  

Check out our events below: 

BGH Headline Event Leigh: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress  

Monday 4th March | 9:30 – 11:30am | Leigh Sports Stadium  

Don’t miss our headline event featuring our Director of GM Business Growth Hub Janine Smith! We are kickstarting the week of International Women’s Day with our headline event at Leigh Sports stadium. 

Hosted by Nick Shepherd - Business Development and Partnerships Manager Business Growth Hub, this event will feature a panel of inspirational speakers who will be raising the topic of the 2024 theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate progress’.  

Nick Shepherd gave us an insight into the event “Our discussion aims to guide our audience towards the changes which they can make in their professional and personal lives as we drive towards an equal environment for all. The resounding message which came from our event in Oldham last year was that all genders need to be part of the conversation towards equality which is why I am delighted to be hosting our 2nd annual International Women’s Day event alongside our panel of inspirational individuals driving impact across Greater Manchester.” 

The location of this event is Leigh Sports Village, this is home to some of England’s Ladies Football team, who many would describe as some of the most influential women of 2023.    

We are excited to bring together people from throughout Greater Manchester to this meaningful location to engage in this thought provoking and empowering event.  

Attending the event will be our panel of inspiring and successful women from the fields of business and culture:   

 Janine Smith, Director of GM Business Growth Hub   

Alison McKenzie-Folan, Chief Executive - Wigan Council   

Claire Burham, Assistant Director Skills and Enterprise - Wigan Council   

Victoria Braddock, Chief Executive - Marketing Manchester   

Risha Lancaster, Co-founder, Coffee4Craig   

Helen Hardy, Founder - Foudy's    

Date: Monday 4th March 2024   

Time: 9:30am– 11:30am 

Location: Leigh Sports Village, Sale Way, Leigh, WN7 4JY 

You can register for our free event here: Highlight Event: International Women's Day "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress" | GM Business Growth Hub 

BGH Event Trafford: See It and Be It: Inspiring Women in Leadership  

Friday 8th March | 9:30 – 11:30am | Jackson House, Sale  

Join the GM Business Growth Hub Leadership, Skills and Social Impact Team in a FREE female leader breakfast networking event this International Women’s Day on 8th March 2024. This event will offer true networking opportunities with a round table format navigating the challenges faced by female leaders and managers, cultivating leadership, and fostering peer learning opportunities for women in leadership. There will also be an opportunity to find out about and access fully funded business support from the GM Business Growth Hub.  

What does international women’s day mean to business leaders? 

Paula Wadbrook - Trafford Workforce Development Specialist GM Business Growth Hub and Leadership Skills and Social Impact Team Member shared her thoughts “I frequently attend female networking events where there is little time or space to actually ‘network’. We wanted to create a free female networking event where attendees genuinely have the time to get to know each other, exchange ideas and empower each other. Space and time to inspire each other will naturally lead to an increased network of genuine connections. 

In the GM Business Growth Hub Leadership, Skills, and Social Impact Team, we have dedicated support services for female leaders; we realise that they often face unique challenges and obstacles, as well as unique opportunities. We are proud to be able to host our free female networking event ‘See It and Be It: Inspiring Women in Leadership’ on International Women’s Day as it is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about gender equality and advocate for positive change. We are looking forward to focusing on an event navigating the challenges faced by female leaders and managers, cultivating leadership, and fostering peer learning opportunities for women in leadership.” 

You can register for our free event here: 
International Women's Day 2024 "See It and Be It: Inspiring Women in Leadership " | GM Business Growth Hub 

BGH Event Tameside: International Women’s Day Brunch and Learn  

Friday 8th March | 10:00am – 1:00pm | Tameside College  

 Join us for a special brunch to celebrate International Women’s Day and the accomplishments of women in business. The event is co-hosted by Bromley solicitors who run the Tameside Women in Business Network, Build a Business and GM Business Growth Hub. In addition to this event, you have the opportunity to participate in a Net-walk, starting with networking and strolling around town before the event begins. Marie Hare will lead a Net-walk from Ashton-under-Lyne Train station at 9:30am, which is approximately twenty-minute walk.  

Louise Clark Information Services Librarian and Build a Business – “Tameside Libraries are proud to have hosted some truly inspirational local female business leaders at our previous two ‘Women Mean Business’ events for International Women’s Day.  

Building on these successful events we are looking forward to welcoming this year’s guests who will share thoughts on how women can and do rise to the top despite, even in now in the 21st century continuing to face challenges in the workplace”.  

Kelly Gray Stakeholder Account Manager Tameside Business Growth Hub shared her thoughts on our International Women’s Day event in Tameside “It is great to be a part of the team leading the 3rd annual International Women’s Day celebration in Tameside. This year we are celebrating those inspirational women who are in traditionally male dominated careers as well as our young women who are about to embark on their journey in the workplace and share their goals for the future. I am proud to be a part of our strong team of female advisors here in Tameside providing support to the local business community and look forward to what will be a brilliant and inspiring event” 

You can register for our free event here: International Women’s Day Brunch and Learn | GM Business Growth Hub 

To summarise, International Women’s Day shouldn’t just be for one day! It is a great catalyst for event organisers and business leaders to work towards gender equality all year round. We should all do what we can to support and foster worldwide participation and collective efforts in advancing women’s equality and a good way to get involved is to join us at one of our events!