The annual Walk for Women will return to the streets of Manchester in celebration of strong and inspirational women for International Women’s Day.
The much-loved event builds on an already rich history of advancing women’s rights for Mancunians as hundreds of women along with family, friends and community members will descend on the busy city centre to demonstrate their year-on-year support, which includes honouring the incredible feats of pioneering women all over the world to demonstrating their support for advancing women’s equality.
Those in attendance are encouraged to creatively chant and cheer, bring along with them boisterous and safe instruments to bang and clang to the beat of their own drums. As well as preparing to belt out and sing along to musical performances. Participants are also prompted to create banners and posters to convey messages of support for why they are celebrating the women in their lives or the world over on this special day.
Held the day after the world marks IWD (8th March), this year’s theme is called ‘Inspire Inclusion’ which is a nod to countless women from all backgrounds and across all ages who have made aspirational strides and continue to trailblaze through barriers in areas such as galvanising women’s economic empowerment, forging access for women and girls to have quality education and training and promoting creative and artistic talent.
The Walk for Women is a chance to hail this fearless fighting spirit that a diverse and vibrant city like Manchester continues to thrive on.
The official route will begin on Mount Street behind Central Library (by the John Cassidy 'Adrift' statue) and then will makes it way to Albert Square before turning onto Brazennose Street and making a right to Deansgate. The final stop will be at Manchester Cathedral.
Walk for Women 2024 will be on Saturday 9 March from 12:00-2:30pm and is free to attend.
To officially register attendance, online registration can be completed beforehand.
Find out more about the walk and road closures.
Councillor Becky Chambers, the Council's Lead Member for Women, said: “I cannot wait to welcome International Women’s Day celebrations back to Manchester for another year. IWD is always a significant occasion for women and the walk gives us the opportunity to celebrate women and their achievements.
“We will celebrate Manchester’s history of fighting for women's rights, which reminds us of the brave strides that have been made to advance women’s equality and will continue to resonate for generations to come."
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “After welcoming back the Walk for Women only last year, we anticipate this year to be an even bigger and better turn out of advocates for women’s equality.
“The walk around our amazing city is a celebratory moment for progress and women everywhere, but it’s also a vivid reminder of the continuing work that needs to be done to challenge negative attitudes and obstacles surrounding women and girls. The support on this day is a pivotal reflection of all that has been done and all that is to come for women’s equality.”
Share your picture-worthy moments at the walk with #WalkForWomen #IWDMCR #IWD2024