Speaking up for women

SPEAKING up for women: Debbie Abrahams, Marzia Babakarkhail and Councillor Sue Dearden

INSPIRATIONAL speeches about overcoming sexism and fighting for equality helped Oldham mark International Women’s Day over the weekend.

Dozens of women attended Gallery Oldham on Saturday for an afternoon of talks, poems and music hosted by Oldham Labour Women’s Forum.

The free event, which had a theme of “Women Make it Happen”, was opened by Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams, and hosted by Councillor Hannah Roberts.

The audience was moved by Marzia Babakarkhil, a former judge in Afghanistan forced to seek political asylum here after her life was threatened by the Taliban. She revealed a range of injustices against women in her home state.

Local women’s issues were also discussed during the event. The audience was able to question two of Oldham Council’s all-female management team, chief executive Carolyn Wilkins and Maggie Kufeldt, executive director for health and well-being.