THE sixth annual women's conference took place in Grays Community Hall to celebrate International Women's Day (Saturday, 8 March).

The conference was organised by borough councillor Qaisar Abbas and chaired by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Ms Sidra Naeem. 

Cllr Abbas, the Conservative shadow cabinet member for community partnerships welcomed participants and said: "I started organising women conferences in 2019 and am very pleased to see multiple events now happening in Thurrock to mark the women's day.

Cllr Abbas addresses the conference.

"I thank everyone involved in organising these events. This year, we have dedicated our conference to girls and women affected by conflicts and wars across the globe to show our support and solidarity with them.

"My events are inclusive, and I invite a wide range of guests of all genders to raise awareness about women's equal rights and celebrate their achievements."

The chair of Thurrock History Society, Ms Susan Yates, paid tribute to Thurrock women, and Mrs Almedina Kahrimanovic, Srebrenica genocide survivor, highlighted the impact of wars and genocides on girls and women.

Other speakers read out special messages to show their support and commitment to accelerate action for gender equality. 

The artists and students of the Best British Centre displayed art exhibition with Ukrainian and South Asian cultural performances to celebrate women's achievements. The Essex Police, Thurrock Fostering, DWP and other organisations displayed key information on their stalls.

The conference was attended by more than 100 participants from a wide range of backgrounds and organisations including c2c, AOFAC Foundation, TSTLLC Ministries, BollyWorld Foundation, PPP UK, CoS, Thurrock Hindu Temple, Thurrock History Society, Happy Home Ministry, The Good Samaritan, The Change Project, Sikh Temple, Taleem Mosque, EPEC Parent Group, Sewing Club, Dhanak London, Al-Hussania Thurrock, Thurrock Horse Awareness Ride, Tamil School and TNGC. Current and former councillors, school and university students and representatives of Thurrock's Pakistani, Bengali, Indian, Tamil, Romanian, Albanian, Nepalese, Nigerian, Afghan, Ukrainian and other communities and groups were also present. 

The event took place on Friday, 7 March.

Volunteers from QAG's Foundation, Best British Centre, Rawal-Veritas and Sikh Temple were presented appreciation certificates for their roles in organising the conference.