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The Festival of The Girl is making an exhilarating comeback, this time with its 2024 festivities set to commemorate International Women’s Day with unprecedented flair. This Friday marks the launch of tickets for an event that promises not only to be a cornerstone celebration but also a pivotal moment for young girls across the UK.

Centred around girls aged 7-11, the Festival of The Girl is a pioneering venture that aims to shatter the confines of harmful gender stereotypes while inspiring and engaging its participants. This not-for-profit initiative is steadfast in its mission to empower young girls and their families, fostering an environment where future generations can thrive free from the constraints of societal expectations.

This year, the festival ambitiously expands its horizons, transitioning from a single-day event to an entire weekend of activities and engagement. With this expansion, the festival joyously anticipates welcoming over 1,000 girls, doubling its impact and reach. A particularly noteworthy addition to this year’s agenda is the introduction of a session specifically designed for girls with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families, ensuring the festival’s inclusive embrace extends to every child.

In a groundbreaking move, the 2024 edition will also see the inauguration of the Festival of The Girl Awards. This ceremony is a heartfelt celebration of girlhood, offering a platform for girls to honour and celebrate their peers, fostering a community of support, admiration, and mutual respect.

Set against the backdrop of the Business Design Centre in Islington, North London, the event will unfold over the weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October. In keeping with the festival’s inclusive ethos, a pay-what-you-can ticket option ensures that no interested family is left behind.

At its core, the Festival of The Girl seeks to spark the conversation on gender stereotypes at an early age, addressing and dismantling these societal constructs before they take root. Through a diverse array of workshops, activities, and interactions with female role models, the festival offers a safe and encouraging space for girls. Here, they can explore new interests, engage in fun and educational activities, and leave with a newfound sense of self-confidence and empowerment.

In anticipation of the festival, the lineup of activities and guest speakers will be gradually unveiled, promising an inspiring array of role models and educators.

While the festival predominantly targets young girls, it extends a warm welcome to all individuals who wish to partake in this celebratory and transformative experience.

The urgency and significance of the festival are underscored by the concerning findings of the 2023 Girlguiding’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey, which revealed alarmingly low happiness levels among girls aged 7-21. This makes the festival’s mission more critical than ever.

Beyond the main event in October, the Festival of The Girl will host the ‘Festival of The Girl Grows Up’ event for adults in June, focusing on online safety and the challenges of navigating social media with children. Additionally, plans are underway for a festival pop-up in Manchester, broadening the event’s geographical reach and impact.

As summer approaches, the festival will also release a free activity book filled with empowering activities, profiles of inspiring women, and creative games with a feminist twist, perfect for the summer holidays.

For more details on the festival and how to get involved, visit www.festivalofthegirl.com.

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