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New Horizons Festival of Women’s Rights
Friday 26 November 2021 to Wednesday 8 December 2021
René Cassin is running an exciting programme of events to highlight and inform our new work on women’s rights.
The festival explores and celebrates the rights of women, and the wonderful work taking place within the Jewish community and wider society to promote women’s social justice. It asseses the legacy of women’s rights and the new directions in which campaigns are headed. Over 10 days, we examine the multifaceted reality of being a woman in a ‘post-pandemic’ world, socio-economic challenges to gender equality and building bold, determined Jewish communities in the quest for full equality.
More than 30 events over ten days! Download a full programme – HERE
Festival Programme
Events listed below are confirmed. More sessions are being added, so check this page regularly. All sessions are online and all are free to attend.
Book your places, get involved, help shape the future of women’s rights.
Friday 26 November
10.30 am
When Religious Freedom Suffers, so do the Rights of Women
Exploring women’s rights and the intersectionality with freedom of religion and belief with – Laura Marks OBE and Katharine Thane
Sunday 28 November
12 noon
Tech and Gender Based Violence: New Horizons Workshop
Interactive workshop on relationship between tech & gender-based violence. And a taste of what it’s like to work in a feminist tech organisation.
12 noon
Disability Rights and the Jewish Community: My experience as a disabled woman
Understanding the challenges facing disabled women and exploring opportunities for improvement.
7.30 pm
‘We are shadows; our souls dead’: Female suffering in the Uyghur genocide
How and why Uyghur women have been targeted by the Chinese regime – focusing on the role of women as ‘culture carriers’ in Uyghur society.
8 pm
Creating a Caring Economy: The work of the UK’s Women’s Budget Group
Is a caring economy is an idea whose time has come? Marion Sharples of the Women’s Budget Group sets out an alternative economic model.
Monday 29 November
8 am
The Commonwealth Interfaith CommUNITY – Why intersectional feminism matters
Intersectional feminism across faith groups – with Lauren Keiles, Board of Deputies of British Jews & Mary Mukyala, a Christian from Uganda.
12 noon
Building a More Compassionate Political Landscape: New Horizons Workshop
The need for more compassion is evident – but how can we get it? This workshop will give you useful tools for bridge-building & resilience.
12 noon
“Women Who Kill” Centre for Women’s Justice
The lessons of CWJ’s ground-breaking work, including recommendations for reform – with Harriet Wistrich, Katy Swaine Williams & Varda Bondy.
7 pm
Digital Self-Defence and Self-Care: New Horizons Workshop
Have a flourishing online presence without compromising your wellbeing. Expert advice on how to protect yourself from online abuse.
7.30 pm
“It is a Marathon, not a Sprint”: An evening with Dame Margaret Hodge
She’s been a feminist & campaigner on women’s rights for as long as she can remember – hear Dame Margaret in conversation with Amanda Bowman.
Tuesday 30 November
9.30 am
Young Women Facing Unemployment
Exploring the experiences of young women navigating today’s job market and benefits system – difficulties, challenges, & ideas for change. With the Young Women’s Trust.
9.30 am
UJS Women Presidents: Where are they now?
In its more than 100 year history, the Union of Jewish Students has had only nine female Presidents. Why? Come and find out from no less than five of those women ex-presidents.
12 noon
‘Building Back Better’ with Caroline Nokes MP
How will the government’s post-Covid plans impact on women & girls? With Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of the Women & Equalities Select Committee.
7.30 pm
Heads Up Shoulders Back: Effective campaigning as a young woman in politics
What lessons can we learn from the campaign to make misogyny a hate crime? Hear from Stella Creasy MP & Bella Ford, who led that campaign.
7.30 pm
Reclaiming Mikveh as Feminist Practice
Exploring the origins of the custom, the journey women have historically taken with it, and how it is being reclaimed for everybody today.
Wednesday 1 December
9.30 am
Stepping into your Power and Creating Change: New Horizons Workshop
Young Women’s Trust members share the skills and tools that will help you to create change.
12 noon
Keeping Faith in Feminism
Grappling with race, religion, and intersectionality – how diverse communities can be vehicles for building a liberated future.
12 noon
How the Justice System is Failing Women
Can our criminal justice system ever be fit for purpose when it comes to violence against women and girls? If so, what changes are needed? With Rebecca Hitchen of the End Violence Against Women Coalition.
7.30 pm
An Evening with Jess Phillips MP
Jess has committed her life to improving the lives of others, and encouraging women & girls to take back power and control. Expect wisdom, wit, and plain-speaking from this inspirational politician.
Thursday 2 December
9 am
Dual Hate: Antisemitism, Misogyny and what we can do about it
The origins of these dual hatreds, the ways in which they manifest today, and suggestions as to what we can do about it all – with Danny Stone MBE & Dame Louise Ellman.
12 noon
Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community: The Impact of COVID-19
Women experiencing domestic abuse have fared parrticularly badly in the isolation of the pandemic – hear how Jewish Women’s Aid has responded.
7.30 pm
Expanding the Palace of Torah: Where next for Orthodox Jewish women?
Nearly 20 years ago, Dr Tamar Ross wrote her seminal work, Expanding the Palace of Torah. What changes have there been over the last two decades for women in Orthodoxy? What are the challenges and opportunities today?
Sunday 5 December
11 am
Writing Workshop
Placing women’s voices at the forefront – an interfaith workshop with writers Elizabeth Arif-Fear and Emily Zinkin.
12 noon
Inspired by Hope: New visions for empowered consent education
Discussing violence against young women & girls – particularly in Jewish communities – and necessity and intricacies of prevention education.
5 pm
Jewish Teens for Empowered Consent: New Horizons Workshop
Workshop follow up to the session “Inspired by Hope: New visions for empowered consent education” (see above)
Monday 6 December
12 noon
Journeys: Jewish Women’s Stories of Displacement and Migration
Diving into the lives of Jewish women who journeyed to Britain from Baghdad, Cairo, Marrakesh, Tehran and beyond.
6 pm
Food Security, Women and the Prevention of Genocide
Led by Jewish World Watch, a US based organisation that works to bring help and healing to survivors of mass atrocities around the globe, and to inspire people of all faiths and cultures to join the ongoing fight against genocide
7.30 pm
Celebrating Uyghur Culture and Jewish Friendship
Uyghur cooking demonstration and a conversation about the importance of culture, family, and friendship.
Download a full programme – HERE
