Break the Bias event planned for International Women's Day 2022

Wiltshire Council is working with local and national partners to host a free online conference to mark International Women's Day 2022.

The conference takes place on 8 March from 12 noon to 2.30pm and the speakers are Gifty Enright and Dr Linda Papadopoulos.

Gifty Enright is an author and international speaker and a coach, specialising in women and workplace wellbeing. She was nominated one of 2020s top 101 Global Influencers in employee engagement and wellbeing.

As one of the most recognisable and well-respected psychologists working in the UK today, Dr Linda Papadopoulos has built an outstanding reputation in both academia and broadcasting. A hugely successful psychologist, author, keynote speaker, host and broadcaster, Dr Linda's analysis on current affairs, trends and human behaviour is highly sought after and syndicated around the world.

The theme of this year's International Women's Day is 'Break the Bias'. The mission for IWD is to help forge a gender equal world, that is diverse, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination whilst also celebrating women's achievements.

The event is free for anyone to attend, but they must register at  www.breakthebias2022.eventbrite.co.uk   (opens new window).  

The event is organised and hosted by Wiltshire Council and has been made possible with sponsorship from the University of Bath, The Environment Agency and Swindon Borough Council; and with support from the following partners: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, Bardo Inclusive Living, Bath Spa University, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Partnership, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Civil Service Race Forum (CSRF)and Defence Women's Network.

Cllr Jane Davies, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND, Transition and Inclusion, said: We'd like to thank our partners for supporting this conference and creating an interesting and diverse event for people to attend.

International Women's Day is a great chance to promote and imagine a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. I'm looking forward to hearing from the speakers and working together to Break the Bias.

Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council, said: We're excited and honoured to be collaborating with our partners to host this fantastic event with two high profile and informative speakers.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on women and girls worldwide, households are facing even more pressures including incidents of gender-based violence

Therefore, this is an important event, and an opportunity to increase awareness of the issues faced by women and to learn more about how we can Break the Bias.

I urge everyone to sign up and get involved.

More information about this year's International Women's Day can be found at www.internationalwomensday.com (opens new window).