A host of events are taking place across Inverclyde to mark International Women’s Day.

Held every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day (IWD) has been officially recognised since 1911.

This year, Inverclyde Council is working with various partners to put on free events across the district including a pop-up shop giving away free period products, a women’s health event, a women’s business networking breakfast and a library session to encourage women to speak up and support others in business and public settings.

Inverclyde Council Depute leader Natasha McGuire praised the good work being done locally to celebrate International Women’s Day.

She said: “We have a proud history of strong women here in Inverclyde and this is continuing this International Woman Day with these fantastic events.

“What is a clear theme throughout all the events is it's important for women to be able to know where they can get support and access to information they need whether that’s in their health, business or personal life.

“I look forward to attending events throughout the IWD period and I would encourage all others in Inverclyde to come along too.”

Inverclyde’s Women’s Champion, Councillor Lynne Quinn said: “I’m delighted to see so many events taking place in Inverclyde to support International Women’s Day.

“As the council’s women’s champion, it’s my role to make sure all women are fairly represented and their voices are heard.

“Finding out more about your health, making business connections and speaking up for yourself, and others, are all incredible opportunities and I thank everyone involved in organising these events.”

As well as the events, Inverclyde Council will fly the International Women’s Day flag above the Municipal Buildings and light up the Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow sculpture purple on the day.

Full details of events across Inverclyde for International Women’s Day:

• McGilps pop-up shop in Gourock will be giving away free period products and welcoming partners to talk about the work they do and support they offer.
  • Tuesday 4 March, Carers Gateway will visit from 10am till 4pm;
  • Wednesday 5 March, Inverclyde Leisure will visit from 10am till 1pm;
  • Thursday 6 March, Childsmile will visit from 10am till 12.30pm, then from 1pm till 4pm, Your Voice will attend.
  • As Saturday 8 March is International Womens' Day there will be some light refreshments on offer to mark the occasion.

• On Thursday 6 March, the Inverclyde Women in Business group is hosting a breakfast networking event at the Beacon in partnership with Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce. Sign up to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inverclyde-women-in-business-tickets-1244927885819?aff=oddtdtcreatoretc
  
  
• Friday 7 March at the Beacon there is a free women’s health event from 10am till 2pm, hosted by the Health Improvement Team. The event is not ticketed and members of the public are welcome to attend to hear from various speakers talking about menopause, women’s heart health and equality as well as stalls from health providers and charities and free refreshments.
  
  
• South West Library is hosting an event on Saturday 8 March from 11am till 2pm. Working with partners Inverclyde Women in Business, Your Voice, Inverclyde Business Gateway, the theme for the event is encouraging women to speak up, and to support women to participate confidently in business and/or public settings. The event will include a talk from Dr Anne Pettigrew followed by a networking opportunity.
  
  
• On Saturday 8 March, Inverclyde Women’s Aid has organised a women-only charity dip at Lunderston Bay. Organised by Happy and Wild, all funds raised will go to Inverclyde Women’s Aid.

For more details on these events, go to our social media channels www.facebook.com/inverclyde and https://x.com/inverclyde