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Women from across South Tyneside are coming together to mark International Women's Day today (8 March) with the aim of creating a fairer and more equal world.

The 2022 campaign theme is #BreaktheBias, striving for a gender equal world and making a commitment to call out bias, smash stereotypes, break inequality and reject discrimination.

Cllr Tracey Dixon recently visited Apna Ghar, a centre dedicated to ensuring the black and minority ethnic women of South Tyneside are supported and have the means to integrate into the community, to find out more about the important work they do in the borough.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ said: "Apna Ghar is an organisation that upholds the values of International Women's Day all year round. Supporting women to be the best they can be, breaking down barriers and stereotypes and providing a series of activities that women from across the community can get involved in.

"I have long been a supporter of the team and the valuable work that the management and volunteers do."

The Centre's Information, Advice and Guidance service ensures that black and minoritised women and their families can access help on a range of topics ranging from money management to housing, and wellbeing to employment and training. 

Otilia Popescu, Chair of Apna Ghar said: "Apna Ghar has been supporting the women of South Tyneside for more than 37 years. In addition to empowering minority ethnic women, the group has played a pivotal role in promoting community cohesion, partnership working and excellent community relations across our diverse communities.

"International Women's Day is about standing in solidarity with women across the globe. I am so proud of what we have achieved in South Tyneside, but we must continue our quest to ensuring that every single woman has the right to live on an equal footing with men."

As part of the activities for International Women's Day, Apna Ghar is supporting an exhibition at the Customs House celebrating women's identity through art.

The centre provides Art Therapy work in partnership with Sangini - a Black and minority ethnic (BME) led, multicultural women's arts organisation based in South Shields.

Apna Ghar raises awareness with women to feel empowered to discuss issues surrounding black and minoritised women, including VAWG (Violence against Women and Girls) and Mental Health. The women are then supported by a trained art facilitator from Sangini to be encouraged to address their emotions and thoughts through creativity and art focused projects.

The exhibition opens on 8 March at 10.30am with presentations by the artists involved showing artwork created by women from Apna Ghar, Bright Futures, CREST, Customs House, Sangini, and WHiST. The exhibition runs until 31 March 2022.

International Women's Day is a global movement celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality and encouraging more people to commit to help forge an inclusive world.