Women unite in Oldham for gender equality event

Women from across Oldham and Greater Manchester gathered at Ram Mill Business Centre in Chadderton for an International Women's Day event focused on 'balancing the scales' for gender equality. The event, organized by the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub, brought together women from different professions to network, share experiences, and discuss the challenges they face in male-dominated fields.

Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah was among the speakers who addressed the audience about the importance of self-belief and empowerment. 'As a woman, you don't always get people encouraging you,' she told the gathering. 'I remember my own journey in politics, my own family didn't understand what I wanted to do, but if you have this passion, you just have to go after it and believe in yourself.

The panel discussion covered pressing issues affecting women today, from digital safety and social media impacts to education and employment opportunities. Janine Smith, director of the GM Business Growth Hub, highlighted a concerning trend: while girls in Oldham schools often outperform boys, this advantage doesn't translate into employment. 'Those jobs exist and they aren't a million miles away,' she said, encouraging women to seek opportunities within Greater Manchester that could bring...

Representatives from local organizations including Recondition, The Pankhurst Trust, and Smart Works attended the event, which featured exhibitions and networking opportunities. The speakers, which included a racing driver, tech company CEOs, and business leaders, all emphasized the same message: supporting and empowering other women is crucial to achieving true equality. As cybersecurity CEO Hayley Roberts put it, being 'open minded' and having the ability to 'shift your perception' is key to...