A FULL day of activity marked International Women’s Day at Isle of Man College in Douglas on Thursday, with students learning about issues such as health and equality.
The official International Women’s Day – which was been marked around the world since 1977 – was actually on Friday, but organisers at the Douglas college opted to take advantage of the generally busier Thursday to reach as many students as possible.
After International Men’s Day at the college in November, it was the turn of the girls to be celebrated and treated.
Beauty therapists were on hand to give out treatments for £2, with money going to women’s charities, and Hanly’s convenience store staff whipped up candy floss to raise money for the island’s women’s refuge centre.
Public Health staff held Zumba exercise classes and a skipping workshop, while recently opened women-only gym Warehouse Fitness gave away free memberships.
There were stands from the Well Women’s Clinic at Noble’s Hospital, where staff educated women on cervical cancer, protecting themselves and sexual behaviour.
The students were also engaged in a debate on gender equality. Co-organiser Kate Bergquist, who works at both the college and at Warehouse Fitness, said despite the serious issues being covered, the day proved to be lots of fun too.
She added: ‘Being around young people becoming adults, you learn that these girls know their own minds, and their roles in the community.’