Next weekend the massive FiLiA conference will be staged at The Lighthouse in Eccles, attracting up to five hundred women who will be discussing every feminist-related subject under the sun during the largest annual women's rights conference in the UK.
The word 'filia' means daughter, reflecting, the organisation states, "that we are the daughters of the women who came before us; women who fought for our children, our bodies, ourselves...Their legacy challenges us to keep fighting for the liberation of all women and girls today."
The Conference aims to showcase the work of researchers, NGOs (Non-Government Organisations), campaigners, artists and individuals who focus on improving the world for women and girls.
Compered by comedian and activist, Kate Smurthwaite, there will be over two dozen sessions on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, ranging from the Global Epidemic of Violence Against Women and Girls, to Women and the Media, to Neoliberalism and Patriarchy, to Economic Abuse and the Effects on Women.
From Salford, Angela Barratt, of Salford and Manchester Street Support, will be speaking on women and poverty, covering homelessness, benefit scandals and more at the Women and the Class Struggle panel on Sunday afternoon.
Suryia Nayak, a senior lecturer at Salford University, will be also giving an Introduction to Consciousness Raising on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, from Women In Hebron, Nawal Slemiah will be speaking about Empowerment Under Occupation and her experiences setting up a handicraft co-operative in Palestine. And from Argentina, Pillar Goldman and Angeles Anchou will be speaking on Abortion Rights in Latin America.
There's a party on Saturday night with Kate Smurthwaite, Claire Mooney, Rhiannan Tweats and Kokoro, plus a disco, and throughout the weekend there's plays, performances and singers, including the intriguing Granddaughters... 'We are the granddaughters and great-granddaughters of the Witches you could not burn
as well as some of those whom you did...'
"FiLiA is run by a team of volunteers who have accidentally ended up putting on the largest annual women's rights conference in the UK" says FiLiA's Lisa-Marie Taylor "It has been such an adventure! This is the first time that we have taken the conference out of London and it was the best thing that we have ever done; meeting new groups and individuals, reaching more women; building connections.
"FiLiA is a space where women come together to share the work that they are doing" she adds "We hear from activists, NGOs, artists and academics talking on so many topics that have an impact on women and girls. You would all be very welcome..."
FiLia 2018 Conference
Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st October
The Lighthouse
12 Centenary Park, Coronet Way, Eccles M50 1RE.
A full weekend ticket costs £50 - or £20 for anyone over 65/student/ age 12-18 /in receipt of benefits.
Day tickets for either Saturday or Sunday cost £30 – or £12 concessions (see above)
The Saturday night party is £5 or £3 concessions
To book tickets – click here
For full details of the FiLiA conference line-up, speakers, ethics and loads more see the FiLiA website – click here
There's a free crèche and children's workshops throughout the event. To ask anything about accessibility etc email inclusion@filia.org.uk
Most of the conference is open to men and women, unless specified on the agenda.
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