Hybrid
Streamed via Zoom and in person at Wellcome Collection
International Women's Day Celebration 2024
Saturday 2 March 2024 | 09.30 (Registration) – 17.55 (Drinks finish)
Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE
On 2 March 2024 Doughty Street Chambers will be celebrating International Women's Day. Every year, we bring together a diverse group of lawyers, judges, politicians, campaigners and academics to explore what more the law can do for women and girls.
Our Keynote address is Monica McWilliams, Emeritus Professor in the Transitional Justice Institute at Ulster University. She co-founded the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition in 1996, was elected to the multi-party peace negotiations and is a signatory to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Her memoir ‘Stand Up, Speak Out’, published by Blackstaff Press, charts Monica’s activism over the decades from the civil rights protests in the 1960s to her involvement in the women’s movement and the founding of the Women’s Coalition. It also includes her role in the signing and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
Our panel discussions will include the use of AI to exploit women, a feminist vision of climate justice, a comparative analysis of the crime of abortion and an in conversation with Helena Kennedy KC and Christina Lamb, leading foreign correspondent and author of “Our bodies, their battlefield - what War does to Women”.
Our guest speakers include Stella Creasy MP, Andrea Simon, Director at End Violence Against Women, Katie de Kauwe, lawyer at Friends of the Earth, Dr Emma Milne, Associate Professor in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice in the Durham Law School, and Tessa Khan, Founder and Executive Director of Uplift.
We hope you can join us for what promises to be an inspiring and action-packed day. The event will be taking place on a hybrid basis, with tickets available to attend in person and online. There are a limited number of places for in-person attendance, and the ticket price includes catering, a crèche and a drinks reception following the event.
This year Doughty Street Chambers is supporting Clean Break as our selected charity for IWD 2024. Clean Break was founded by two women in prison who believed in the power of theatre to transform lives. They use theatre to keep the subject of women in prison on the cultural radar, helping to reveal the damage caused by the criminal justice system.
We’re happy to reveal that we will be showing an exclusive free screening of Clean Break’s ‘Sweatbox’, written by Chloë Moss. The film invites you to enter the back of a prison van in which three women share their stories of arrival and anticipation as they are transported from court to prison, from prison to prison, from prison to court.
The cost of a ticket to attend the event does not include any payment to Clean Break for viewing the film screening. We invite those attending to make even a small donation to support Clean Break and the continuation of their hugely important work. Any donations can be made to Clean Break directly here.
ACCESS THE FULL EVENT PACK WITH THE PROGRAMME AND SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES HERE.
|
09.30 |
REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS |
|
10.00 |
Welcome and Opening Remarks Maya Sikand KC, Doughty Street Chambers |
|
10.10 |
Keynote Address Monica McWilliams, Emeritus Professor, Transitional Justice Institute, University of Ulster, signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and author of “Stand Up, Speak Out” (on women’s rights, peace and equality). |
|
10.40 |
Panel 1: Generated harms: the rise of exploitative AI Chair: Fiona Murphy KC, Doughty Street Chambers Speakers: Harriet Johnson, Doughty Street Chambers Kavita Kalsi, Social Development Direct Kelsey Farish, Media Lawyer Andrea Simon, End Violence Against Women |
|
11.40 |
TEA AND COFFEE BREAK |
|
11.55 |
Film: Intro from Anna Herrmann, Artistic Director/Joint CEO, Clean Break Clean Break’s short film “Sweatbox” |
|
12.15 |
Panel 2: Towards a feminist vision of climate justice Chair: Jennifer Robinson, Doughty Street Chambers Speakers: Camila Zapata Besso, Doughty Street Chambers Tessa Khan, Uplift Professor Karen Morrow, Swansea University Katie de Kauwe, Friends of the Earth Lola Fayokun, Climate Campaigner |
|
13.15 - 14.15 |
LUNCH |
|
14.15
|
In Conversation Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, in conversation with Christina Lamb, leading foreign correspondent, and author of “Our bodies, their battlefield - what War does to Women”. |
|
15.15
|
TEA AND COFFEE BREAK |
|
15.30 |
Panel 3: The Crime of Abortion: A UK Comparative Analysis Chair: Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Doughty Street Chambers Speakers: Dr Emma Milne, Durham University Karlia Lykourgou, Doughty Street Chambers Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow Dr Annabel Sowemimo, King’s College London Dr Lynsey Mitchell, University of Strathclyde |
|
16.45 _ 17.00 |
Closing Remarks Antonia Benfield, Doughty Street Chambers |
|
17.00 |
CLOSE
|
|
17.00 – 17.55 |
POST-EVENT DRINKS |
Crèche services
We will have a crèche service available on the day, at no additional charge, but advance booking is required.
In order for us to arrange the appropriate level of support from the provider, Jumping Stars, please help us by letting us know how many of your children will attend the crèche, and their ages and any special needs, by completing the survey form once you place your order.
Donations Box Collection Point: Supporting Birth Companions
This year, we are delighted to collaborate with Birth Companions, an organization dedicated to uplifting the lives of women and babies facing inequality and disadvantage.
Requested Donations: We are collecting specific items that will directly benefit mothers and babies in various stages of their journey.
- Maternity/Nursing Bras: (New / Second-hand, good condition)
- Nipple Cream
- Maternity Pads: For post-birth bleeding
- Breast Pads: (Reusable ones preferred, but disposable fine too)
- Shower Gel or Cream: Specially curated for mothers
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Sudocrem
- Gentle Baby Wash (All-in-One)
Please note: items do not need to be in new condition but must be unopened.
By donating these essential items, you are directly impacting the comfort and well-being of women and babies navigating challenging circumstances. Your generosity ensures that they receive the support they need during crucial moments in their lives.
How to Contribute: Visit our Donations Box Collection Point, prominently located near the entrance, alongside the Birth Companions banner. Your contributions, no matter the size, will be gratefully received.
The full agenda and speaker list will be published shortly.
Book your tickets below.
We hope to see you on 2 March 2024.
X: @DoughtyStreet/@DoughtyStPublic/#DoughtyStWomen
This event is sponsored by Instant On IT and LexisNexis.
