Women of the World Festival to bring “thought-provoking” events to Rotherham for the first time

Rotherham Council has announced the programme for the first ever WOW (Women of the World) Festival in Rotherham, taking place next month.

Led by Founder Jude Kelly, WOW Festivals are said to be the “world’s most comprehensive festivals” celebrating women, girls and non-binary people. Launched in 2010, WOW Festivals have now taken place in more than 30 locations in six continents, reaching more than three million people to date.

WOW Rotherham is organised by Rotherham Council and Flux Rotherham in partnership with The WOW Foundation, the UK based charity that runs the WOW movement across the world.

The two day festival will celebrate community, culture, and entrepreneurialism with artists local, national and international taking part in the event, the first of its kind for the town. Aiming to tackle the subjects that matter most to women, girls and non-binary people, the festival is open to people from all walks of life, however they identify.

WOW Rotherham will take place from Saturday July 16 to Sunday July 17 in the town’s Clifton Park and will feature an eclectic series of events, talks, debates, workshops, mentoring and performances.

Speakers will include award-winning cultural producer and freelance marketer Annalisa Toccara, campaigners and activists The 3 Hijabis who are calling for racists to be banned for life from all football matches in England and senior critical care nurse Charmaine Mutsago.

In addition to a programme of “important, thought-provoking” conversations and workshops, as well as chances to “kick back and have some fun”, WOW Rotherham will be hosting a diverse WOW Marketplace filled with female makers and organisations; a feature at every WOW Festival around the world.

Jude Kelly CBE, CEO and founder of The WOW Foundation, commented: “WOW Rotherham is going to be a wonderful and joyful celebration of the women and girls whose stories, achievements and resilience can help build a new chapter in the history of the town.

“We’ve been working with Flux to bring together people of all kinds and make sure that the WOW Festival is full of bold, brave and brilliant conversations and events.The WOW local producers are using their huge energy to build an equal, just and safe world where the women, girls, trans and non-binary communities of Rotherham can flourish.”