Communities from across the world celebrate International Women's Day in South Tyneside

A special event, organised in partnership with South Tyneside Asylum Seekers and Refugees Church Help (STARCH) and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) brought together people from all walks of life to celebrate on the eve of International Women’s Day.

On Saturday, March 7, groups including STARCH, Compact for Race Equality in South Tyneside (CREST) and Apna Ghar marked the occasion at the Living Waters Church in South Shields, with dancing and food from across the world.

The global awareness day aims to celebrate the strength and solidarity of women everywhere, but the event was also about sharing an important message.

Officers from TWFRS were on hand offering advice and guidance on fire safety to help keep people safe in their homes.

According to the service, members of BME communities are disproportionately affected by fires in the home, so TWFRS community engagement teams work with local residents to improve their awareness and help prevent incidents.

Community engagement advocate Laila Abdulla, based at South Shields Community Fire Station helped organise the event with STARCH.

“My role is bringing communities together, making them aware of fire safety and giving them advice so we can to make sure they are safe wherever they are,” she said.

“This event is about bringing safety and socialising together for everyone’s enjoyment.

“It’s about encouraging women to achieve whatever they want in life and it’s an opportunity for women to get together, dance and share food.

“We’re trying to integrate communities and sharing food always brings people together.”

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing, also spoke at the event, offering her own encouragement for residents as she shared her experience of getting into politics and being a working parent.

“It’s really important that International Women’s Day is celebrated and that people understand what it is all about,” she commented.

“It’s about women being able to come to the forefront and being able to achieve what they want in life. This has been an absolutely fantastic event.”