INTERNATIONAl Women's day was celebrated at a number of events.

Thurrock Council's Deputy Leader, Cllr Deborah Arnold, hosted an International Women's Day event at the Town Hall, where guests included senior women from Thurrock Council, local artists and business leaders.

Cllr Deborah Arnold and Jackie Burns.

Speakers included Thurrock MP Dame Jackie Doyle-Price and renowned astronomical artist Jackie Burns from Stanford-le-Hope - as well as being a key figure on the local art scene Jackie's work, which includes scientific images of astronomy, terrestrial and extra-terrestrial landscapes, has featured in NASA's 60th Anniversary exhibition in Houston Texas.

An event organised by Thurrock Labour's women's officer Lynn Worrall took place in Grays Town Park cafe - attended by 40 inspirational women from across Thurrock.

Tina Holland spoke about her work at Grays Town Park.

Guest speakers included Tina Holland, who spoke about her journey building the cafe and Angie Gaywood from Serric. Labour's Thurrock candidate at the general election, Jen Craft, also spoke.

Money from the raffle was donated to Serric towards the work they do supporting women and girls affected by violence towards them. The event ended watching the Light up Thurrock parade enter the park.

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Not far away, at the Grays Gurdwara Community Centre, the fifth annual Thurrock Annual Women Conference to mark International Women's Day was held.

The event is organised by Cllr Qaisar Abbas, currently the borough Deputy Mayor.

The Grays Gurdwara event was organised by Cllr Qaisar Abbas.

Cllr Abbas welcomed the guests and said, "I am privileged to host these conferences to raise awareness about discrimination and celebrate women's achievements.

"Today, we all stand in solidarity with all the women who are suffering and have no voice, something that should happen every day."

Participants at the event at the Gurdwara

The conference was addressed and attended by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire Crime and Commissioner for Essex, Mayor of Thurrock Cllr Sue Little, Cllr Yetunde Adeshile, Deputy Mayor of Basildon Council, Essex Police Sergeant Sadik Miah, Ms Mary Well, c2c Champion for the White Ribbon campaign and a large number of representatives from various organisations including DWP-JobCentre, Thurrock Fostering, Women's Staff Network, The Good Samaritan, Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal, Orsett Show, Usborne Partners, Sikh Temple, Grays and Taleem Mosques, EPEC Parents, Sewing Club, Thurrock Training, Best British Centre, Nurturing Your Needs, Al Hussania Thurrock, Thurrock Horse Awareness Ride, Tamil School, Thurrock Hindu Temple, NASFAT, Afro Food Fest and various other groups, and local residents.

Participants reiterated their commitment to International Women's Day.