A statement from Cllr Gina Needs, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion at Enfield Council, on International Women's Day (IWD).
Cllr Gina Needs said: "International Women's Day (IWD) falls on 8 March annually and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
"The day has occurred in history for over one hundred years with the first gathering held in 1911.
"Purple, green and white are the colours of International Women's Day. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity. The colours originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.
"The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is #InspireInclusion. The theme this year rightly poses the question – when women aren’t present, we must ask: “If not, why not?”
When women are discriminated against, we must call out poor practice. “When the treatment of women is not equitable, we must take action.
“And we must do this each time, every time.”
(International Women’s Day communique, 2024)
"The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality and raise awareness about women's equality.
"Enfield’s ‘Fairer Enfield’ policy reiterates our aim to act as a local authority to ensure inclusivity in our borough, including taking steps to ensure women of all backgrounds can feel enabled to contribute positively to civic life in Enfield. This is whether employed in our borough or as a resident of any age seeking to live their best life.
"On this 8 March we ask all our residents to pause and reflect on the huge the benefits to be gained by supporting and inspiring inclusivity for women and how this can make for a fairer, kinder place for us all to live.
"Together we can #InspireInclusion and to further mark the event, Enfield Council will be flying the International Women’s Day flag at the Civic Centre and will be lighting the building up in purple."