Nov 26: Equality Brew ☕ – monthly blend of voices, ideas and updates for change
Welcome to the November edition of Equality Brew. This month, we’re sharing opportunities to connect and get involved, highlighting important events taking place across the region, and bringing you some of the latest thinking, research and conversations around gender equality and inclusion – locally and further afield.
Make yourself a brew and dive straight in…
📢 Have you read our latest blogs?
In case you’ve missed our recent announcements, take a look at these articles on our website:
Keen to get more involved with GM4Women2028? Read blog.
A day of women, leadership and legacy: 20th October in review. Read blog.
Black History Month in Greater Manchester. Read blog.
Strengthening our trustee leadership. Read blog.
Oct 26: Equality Brew ☕ – monthly blend of voices, ideas and updates for change. Read blog.
🗓️ Got space in your diary for these important events?
Check out what’s happening near you over the coming weeks:
Festival of Women – This all-day event on Friday 6th November at Blackpool's Winter Gardens promises to amplify the voices and experiences of women, exploring the critical themes of health, wealth and safety. Access the programme and purchase tickets here.
GM4Women2028 November community meeting – Happening on Tuesday 10th November from 1.00pm to 2.00pm, our monthly meeting is being held online via Google Meet. Read more and access attendee link here.
Portico Ubuntu: Queens in Print – This book launch event is also on Thursday 10th November, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Portico Library, Manchester. Join Jenny Garrett OBE and Leah-Sunshine Garrett, the mother and daughter behind 'AI for Equity: Who is it actually built for?', for a fireside chat hosted by Carol Ann Whitehead under the iconic dome where the first Black speaker, Moses Roper, delivered his speech on 21st October 1837. Find out more and get tickets here.
Lecture: How Should we Collect Data on Sex and Gender Identity? – Taking place on Thursday 12th November, 1.00pm to 2.00pm, this free to attend online lecture by Professor Alice Sullivan will share insights on data collection on sex and gender identity according to the Sullivan Review. Grab your ticket here.
Protest, Performance, Power: The Continuing Legacy of Sylvia Pankhurst – Organised by Centenary Action, this fundraising event on Sunday 15th November, 3.00pm to 5.00pm at The Royal Geographical Society in London is a reception celebrating Sylvia Pankhurst’s enduring legacy, featuring Helen Pankhurst CBE and special guests (including Sandi Toksvig), with a focus on the continuing fight for gender equality. Access further details and sign up here.
Light A Candle Vigil – On Thursday 26th November, 9.30am to 3.30pm, attend this event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. Find out more and book your ticket here.
Data, Deeds & Determination 2027 – Save the date for Friday 5th February (online) for our annual Reveal event which presents the latest Pankhurst-Fawcett Scorecards, reflects on progress and identifies where action is needed.
Dialogue, Deeds & Determination 2027 – Also save the date for Saturday 3rd July (Bury – venue TBC) as our flagship Dialogue event returns to create space for discussion, collaboration and shared learning to collectively accelerate the equality agenda.
🌐 Gender equality and inclusion headlines from around the world
We’ve gathered some stories from the internet for you to browse:
'The fight started here': Helen Pankhurst's message to Manchester as Sylvia musical arrives. Manchester Evening News.
Honouring Sylvia and Emmeline Pankhurst on stage and in political action. The Guardian.
What are women allowed to do, say and want in 2026 that they weren’t in 1986? Independent.
Irish heritage and culture, as told by the women of the North West. BBC News.
Centre for Women’s Justice to deliver first ever national Independent Legal Advice service for victim-survivors of rape and sexual violence. Centre for Women’s Justice.
‘I thought the baby would change him’: the women whose pregnancies are blighted by domestic abuse. The Guardian.
‘There’s always been a belittling of African women’: honouring history’s invisible heroines. The Guardian.
Cutting taxes wouldn’t improve living standards, especially for women. Women’s Budget Group.
Oxford signs global declaration to advance gender equity in sport. University of Oxford.
Female leadership representation not matching policies. Personnel Today.
3 women on the frontline of gender equality and the reality of engaging men in the conversation. Stylist.
Women’s board representation falls for first time in more than a decade. Fair Play Talks.
UK Feminista joins 80+ expert organisations calling on government to act on sexual violence in schools. UK Feminista.
Note: The opinions and perspectives expressed in the articles featured in this news round up are those of the original publishers and authors, and don’t necessarily reflect the views or positions of GM4Women2028.
💜 Bid for a more gender-equal Parliament: Enter Centenary Action’s prize draw and silent auction
Fancy winning something brilliant while supporting greater participation by women in public life and helping build a more representative Parliament?
Centenary Action is running a prize draw, silent auction and special event alongside the tour of the Sylvia musical, with fantastic prizes and experiences up for grabs, including some with a local connection for our Greater Manchester community.
From Candlelit Carols with Kantos, to a 'Discover Richard Pankhurst' talk with Joanna M Williams, to VIP tickets to The Lowry, plus plenty of other prizes, why not find something you love doing and get behind this important campaign at the same time?
Note: The closing date for the prize draw and auction is Sunday 15th November.
📄 Report: Unlocking leadership for young women
By Carol Ann Whitehead, Participation Co-Lead, GM4Women2028
As Deputy Chair of CMI Women, I’m delighted to share the latest research, ‘Unlocking leadership for young women: From potential to progression’, launched at an exclusive event in London last month.
The research explores the barriers preventing young women from progressing into their first leadership roles. It also sets out practical recommendations for employers and leaders to help unlock the next generation of female talent.
This is an important contribution to the conversation about creating fairer pathways into leadership and ensuring young women have the opportunity to turn their potential into progression.
✒️ Help fund the 2028 centenary by signing a petition
Manchester City Council has passed a resolution calling on the Government to establish a fund to celebrate the centenary of women securing the vote on equal terms with men in 2028. The Council is supporting a live petition calling for a £10 million fund to mark this important milestone.
The proposed fund would support projects between 2026 and 2028, with up to £500,000 available for individual projects. These could include murals, statues, community events and other initiatives celebrating women’s history and achievements. The issue has already been raised with Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, and Chancellor John Healey.
Please sign the petition here and share it with your networks. It closes on 10th January 2027.
📍 Opportunity: Manchester FA Board Observer Programme
Interested in leadership and shaping the future of football in Greater Manchester? Manchester FA is inviting applications for its Board Observer Programme, offering participants the opportunity to observe Board meetings and gain first-hand insight into how strategic decisions are made.
The programme aims to help participants build confidence, develop skills and expand their networks, supporting future pathways into board membership, volunteering and leadership across the football community.
If you’re keen to gain experience and play a greater role in football, this could be a valuable opportunity to get involved. Applications close on Sunday 29th November.
💬 Keep in touch with GM4Women2028
And that’s our November blend! Equality Brew is one of the ways we publicise what’s happening across our network. To be included in a future edition, please send your details to info@gm4women2028.org.
Thank you for being part of our community and helping to build the connections, conversations and collective action that support a fairer, safer and more inclusive Greater Manchester for women and girls.
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