The City of London Corporation is hosting an event to celebrate the contribution of women in the Square Mile and raise money for Refuge as part of International Women’s Day 2020.

Female leaders will come together to discuss what more needs to be done to create a fully gender-equal world, whilst raising funds for charity Refuge through sponsored tables.

Refuge supports women and children experiencing violence and abuse, including domestic violence, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’-based violence, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The City of London International Women’s Day breakfast event is now in its 14^th year and will take place at the City Corporation’s Guildhall on Friday 6^th March.

The event is organised by a committee of women with strong links to the City of London and will follow the theme for IWD 2020, Each for Equal.

The panel will discuss how society can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, and celebrate women's achievements.

It will be chaired by award-winning presenter and political editor for Good Morning Britain, Ranvir Singh.

The speakers are:

• Sonita Alleyne OBE, FRSA - Master of Jesus College Cambridge. Sonita is also the founder of The Yes Programme, a unique online service that helps school pupils make career decisions by giving them an insight into how classroom skills translate to the real world.

• Roma Agrawal, a structural engineer with a physics degree. Roma spent six years working on The Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe, and designed the foundations and the ‘Spire’. She promotes engineering, scientific and technical careers to young people and particularly to groups under-represented in the industries, such as women.

• Professor Fiona Wilcox, HM Senior Coroner for Inner West London, and a bencher at Middle Temple. Fiona is dual qualified in law and medicine and a Fellow of the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine. She teaches widely, including on the Masters in Forensic Medicine at QMUL.

• Flavilla Fongang is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of 3 Colours Rule, an award-winning branding and marketing agency. Flavilla is also the founder of Tech London Advocates, for Black Women in Tech. She hosts Tech Brains Talk podcast providing insights and advice to entrepreneurs and companies.

Speaking for the City of London’s International Women’s Day Board, City Corporation Councillor, Alison Gowman, said:

“We have taken huge strides for women’s equality over the last 100 years, but we know much more can be done.

“We need to see more women in senior management positions, particularly in the financial and professional services sector, and ensure they have equal opportunities when it comes to reaching these roles.

“The City is now playing a fundamental part in driving change for women’s empowerment.

“That’s why together we are both celebrating the success we have achieved and outlining what needs to change to create a fairer society where all women can thrive.”

Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh said:

“It is great to be chairing the City of London’s International Women’s Day breakfast event and supporting Refuge and the amazing work they do supporting survivors.”

HSBC is the primary sponsor for the event.

More information on the event and how to attend can be found here: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-the-city/community-work/Pages/international-womens-day.aspx

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

In March last year the City Corporation gave 100 women the Freedom of the City of London to commemorate the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918.

Running over seven months from May to October in 2018, the City Corporation’s Women: Work and Power outdoor arts programme marked the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, as well as a number of other relevant anniversaries. It which saw 48 events delivered across 27 City spaces, with the collaboration of 22 partner organisations and 7 new commissions being produced.

Kristina Drake| Media Officer, Public Services

City of London Corporation

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/newsroom

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

M: 07710860884

D: 020 7332 1125