WOW festival and 9 other feminist events happening in the next six months

From a live podcast recording to a women's summit

The coming months are packed with exhibitions, panel discussions and summits dedicated to championing women’s achievements and challenging gender bias.

From a drawing workshop on female sexuality to a panel discussion about women's careers, there is a rich mix of events on the agenda.

And looking forward to International Women’s Day 2020 on 8 March as the WOW (Women of the World) Festival celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

Here is our go-to guide of the most inspiring feminist events around the world making a positive difference for women.

March

Brutality and the female flesh: panel talk, London

This talk - hosted by the Lee Alexander McQueen Foundation in Haggerston - will look at how we frame the female figure in art.

Artists Shannon Bono, Camilla Hanney and Paloma Tendero will be in conversation with Charlotte Jansen to talk about how society sees female bodies and the impact this has on artistic representation.

And get there early as they'll be handing out Bloody Mary cocktails before the talk starts!

Sunday 8 March, London. Find out more information here.

BOXPARK celebrates activism for #IWD2020, London

(Boxpark (Boxpark)

To celebrate International Woman’s Day, BOXPARK Croydon has teamed up with feminist arts and culture platform, Polyester Zine, for a live debate and ‘all-womaxn’ panel made up of artists, activists and entrepreneurs.

Kicking off with a live recording of their namesake podcast, Polyester founding editor Ione Gamble will be sitting down with artist and Queerty 'Game Changer of 2020', Wednesday Holmes.

There will also be a limited edition cocktail menu to celebrate the day.

Tuesday 10 March 7pm, London. Find out more information here.

WOW – Women of the World Festival, London

Visitors can expect panels discussions (Women of the World Festival)

Celebrating 10 years since its launch, the WOW – Women of the World Festival - returns this year to explore the state of gender equality and celebrate women and girls across the globe.

This three-day event, which is set to coincide with International Women’s Day 2020, will see well-known guests like Naomi Wolf, Scarlett Curtis, Edward Enniful, Sandi Toksvig and Shazia Mirza, talking big ideas and analysis of gender equality today.

London, 6-8 March 2020. Find out more information here.

WomenBeing Festival, Edinburgh

WomenBeing Festival 2020 coincides with International Women’s Day 2020 (WomenBeing) (WomenBeing Festival)

WomenBeing is a Scotland-based independent feminist magazine, and next March it is hosting the second-ever international interdisciplinary conference on gender studies and the status of women at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

The programme promises to address the challenges facing women in today’s society, on the issues of gender equality and women’s rights around the world.

The event will feature talks, workshops, networking and more to “showcase diverse female role models to inspire women and girls to view entrepreneurship as a career option”.

Edinburgh, 8-11 March 2020. Find out more here.

#SheStartedIt Live, London

#SheStartedIt

The second year of #SheStartedIt live will see yet more amazing speakers, workshops and meditation classes, in celebration of female empowerment.

This year's guests include Pippa Murray, founder of Pip & Nut, Serena Guen, founder of SUITCASE magazine, Shola Kaye, a public speaking coach, and former Great British Bake Off star Kimberley Wilson (who is also a chartered psychologist).

The festival runs over two days and aims to give guests inspiration and advice on everything from your career, your goals, potential side-hustles, family plans, finances and self-love.

Clerkenwell, London, 13-14 March 2020. Find out more information here.

April

Women in the World Summit, New York, USA

Next year’s summit celebrates 100 years of American women being able to vote (Women in the World Summit)

Celebrating a milestone in the American women’s movement, this year’s Women in the World Summit will mark 100 years of American women winning the right to vote.

Their website describes the event as a “masterclass in female leadership and an accelerator for activism”.

Speakers range from CEOs and world leaders to artists, activists and peacemakers.

Previous speakers and panellists include American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi.

New York City, United States, 2-3 April, 2020. Find out more here.

Female sexuality drawing group, London

This day-long workshop held in the halls of the National Gallery, aims to question the role of female sexuality in the history of art.

In a small group you will be invited to explore the nuance of the nude and how the male gaze has permeated notions of female sexuality throughout history.

Not only will you get a guided tour around the gallery but you'll also get behind the scenes insight from a resident art history tutor.

London, 4-5 April 2020. Find out more here.

Unfinished business exhibition, London

British library (PA)

From bodily autonomy and the right to education, to self-expression and protest, this new exhibition explores how feminist activism in the UK has its roots in the complex history of women’s rights.

Protest fashion and banners created by organisations such as Sisters Uncut, Southall Black Sisters and the Women’s Liberation Movement are among the many diverse items featured in the exhibition.

Fri 24 April-23 August, British Library, London. Find out more information here.

May

Guilty feminist podcast UK tour

If you're a fan of the podcast, you'll love the live tour - join comedian Deborah Frances-White and special guests as they discuss all things feminism (along with their deepest hypocrisies and fears).

The podcast has won a host of awards including best entertainment podcast and best comedy podcast at the British Podcast Awards, so you'll be in for a treat.

Just make sure to book tickets in advance.

At locations across the UK including Brighton, Sheffield, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Birmingham and others. 1 May - 7 June. Find out more here.