International Women's Day
Là Eadar-nàiseanta nam Bàn
Saturday 7th March, 10am - 3.30pm
Cnoc Soilleir, Daliburgh
Lunch included, Donations welcome, Raffle.
To book please use the contact button below.
From Afganistan to Uist, the story of two women
Music, discussions and much more...
To help you enjoy the day:
Please arrive in time to register so that we can start at 10.30amCnoc Soilleir is opposite the Borrodale Hotel.
Drive around the bend, past the church and immediately past the small stone building on your left turn left. Parking is a bit limited but please don’t park in front of the stone building on the main road, it is the local thrift shop and busy on Saturday morning.We plan to video record the morning session and post it on this webpage. We will also be taking photos, so please say if you are camera shy.Lunch will be soup and sandwiches and although we have been generously sponsored it will not cover all the costs,
so please, if you can, make a donation for lunch.The raffle is a magnificent one, prizes include beauty therapy, 4 rounds of golf at Askernish, hamper vouchers and more.
Proceeds will go to The Linda Norgrove FoundationWe also have poetry books donated by Pauline Prior Pitt
What is International Women’s day ?
Well it began in the early 1900s as a reaction to the huge disparity between men’s rights and women’s lack of rights. Does that sound familiar 125 years later?. Yes, we have made progress but that progress is very uneven, unimaginable in some parts of the world today and some would say we are actually going backwards.
So in the early 1900s in America women began to demand the right to fair pay, not even equal pay, to be treated fairly and to decent working conditions and the right to vote.
Indirectly related was the impact in 1911 in New York city of a huge fire which swept through a factory killing 146 mainly women workers. Again does that sound familiar? It still happens in factories around the world where our clothes are made and women work in appalling conditions and are poorly paid.
In 1910s there were womens conferences in Germany to highlight the unfairness of many women’s lives. There were demonstrations across Russia and gradually women’s rights began to take centre stage and IWD became established as an annual event. In many countries IWD is actually a national holiday.
In Uist we were a little bit late in getting going but the first women’s celebration was hosted by HIDB in the early 1900s called 'Wonderful
Opportunities for Women' and that event was the instigator of our irregular IWD meetings, often held with a strong feel good factor and celebrating the lives and experiences of women in Uist, Benbecula, Berneray and Eriskay.
What is 'International Womans Day'
International Women's Day (IWD), is a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while calling for accelerated action toward gender equality. Originating from early 20th-century labor movements, it is a focal point for driving awareness, fighting bias, and supporting women's rights worldwide.Key aspects of International Women's Day include:Purpose: To celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about discrimination, and promote gender parity.Significance: It serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve gender equality, particularly regarding education, violence, and economic justice.History: The day originated from labour movements in North America and Europe at the turn of the 20th century, with roots in the fight for women's suffrage. It was officially adopted by the United Nations in 1975.Activities: Events include rallies, conferences,, and campaigns, with a focus on taking action to break down barriers.2026 Theme: The 2025/2026 focus emphasizes accelerating action to achieve equality
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7th March 2026 10.00am – 3.30pm
Cnoc Soilleir - Daliburgh - South Uist
10.00am Registration tea & coffee10.30am Welcome, introductions, programme and housekeeping10.45am An introduction to The Linda Norgrove Foundation:
Sophie Brown11.00am From Afghanistan to Scotland, how and why:
Farzana Martin & Wazhma Shafaq11.40am Discussion, questions and answers12.15pm Poetry by Pauline Prior Pitt read by Kirsty O’Conner
Songs of Uist and beyond Kara Creighton
12.45pm LUNCH
1.45pm Round the Kitchen Table:
How women support womenPlease choose when you register in the morning
1. Kirsty - Handmade pamphlets, using a gorgeous array of handmade paper, a booklet to keep and others will be donated to the The Linda Norgrove Foundation2. Wazhma & Farzana - Life In Afghanistan and beyond3. Sophie - Setting up a community based project & keeping going4. Sian - Making a mark – how we protest. Poster making5. Christina - Looking after ourselves by loving our hands
3.00pm tea & cakes
Raffle
Summing up and thanks