International Women’s Day 2023 fell earlier this month on Wednesday 8th March. The day was celebrated globally and recognised the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women as well as acknowledging the further actions needed to ensure women's equality for all.

For International Women’s Day this year, SU President Daniella Marley and VP Education Tonari Arikekpar spent the day celebrating across the city and speaking to inspiring women from around the world. The theme for 2023 was embracing equity.

Daniella and Tonari spoke at the Plymouth International Women’s Day Event hosted by the West Country Women Awards at the crowne plaza and were able to highlight the incredible women within the student Union from the Part-Time Officers, the full time staff, to the student groups and campaign such as Here If You Need and Plymouth Night Patrol.

They then sat on a panel with Plymouth City Council Youth Parliament and Lord Mayor Sue Dann- chaired by Alexis Bowater OBE- discussing young women and women in politics. Daniella and Tonari sat with inspirational women such as Dawn Dines, the CEO and founder of Stamp Out Spiking; Hannah Shead, the CEO of Trevi; Rebecca Smith, city councillor and chair of the Plymouth Violence Against Women and Girls Commission; and many more.

After this fantastic event in the city centre, Daniella and Tonari joined the rest of the sabbatical team at our very own student led event at the Student Union. The International Women’s Day Celebration in the SU was in partnership with Here If You Need; featured stalls from Plymouth Night Patrol, Fem Soc, and Trevi; and included music and speakers.

The event had incredible performances from Michelle Rysdale, Mathilda Bitin, and the Acapella Society; as well as speeches from Isla Symons from Here If You Need, part-time women’s officer Apolline Tran, local activist Mel Sevieri, Trevi CEO and founder Hannah Shead, and our very own Plymouth Night Patrol. There was a lovely crowd, a fantastic raffle, and so much love.

As this year’s female sabbatical officers, SU President Daniella Marley and VP Education Tonari Arikekpar, were honoured and delighted to have been a part of so many incredible conversations and celebrations. The whole team look forward to furthering their work in building an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all.