Art, performances, activities and talks will all feature at the International Women’s Day celebrations at Gonville & Caius College on 8 March.

Organised by The Joyce Frankland Society, the Feminist Society at Caius, the evening will commence with the annual International Women’s Day dinner and a speech by Dr Pippa Rogerson, the College’s first female Master, installed 40 years after the first admission of women as students and Fellows.

“This year’s event will be a great opportunity to celebrate 40 years since the first admission of women into the College and to celebrate equality in all its forms,” said Nadia Razali, President of The Joyce Frankland Society.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Joyce Frankland Society Zine launch and art exhibition after dinner, which will feature stand-up comedy, spoken word poetry, and Drag King performances.

Among this year’s speakers is TV writer Sally Abbott, creator of BBC One’s award-winning daytime crime series, The Coroner. Before writing TV, Sally worked in theatre for 17 years, producing various shows and leading outreach programmes. She is a passionate advocate for access and diversity.

Also speaking at the event is Dr Victoria Bateman, Caius Director of Studies in Economics. Dr Bateman regularly writes economic commentary for Bloomberg View, CapX and UnHerd.

The latest edition of the society’s feminist zine Frankly Speaking, and bags and badges featuring designs specifically created for the occasion by two student artists, will be on sale, with proceeds going to two chosen charities. The first, The Orchid Project, a charity that advocates and partners with other organisations in order to end Female Genital Mutilation. The event will also support Cambridge Women’s Aid, which provides dedicated services to women and children affected by domestic abuse in Cambridge City and South Cambridge.

“Being a feminist for me means believing that women and men have equal rights. International Women's Day is a chance for everyone in the College to embrace women's successes and contributions to Caius," said Dr Rogerson.