Join WOW Founder Jude Kelly and special guests Sandi Toksvig and June Oscar to open Saturday at WOW. Expect moments of joy and laughter as they reflect on the year in activism with optimism and hope. Amidst the rolling back of rights for women, we celebrate those who have made change and continue to strive for a gender equal world.

Speakers include broadcaster Sandi Toksvig; Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar; and further special guests to be announced.

June Oscar is appearing at the festival with support from WOW Australia

Venue: Royal Festival Hall

This fascinating conversation will take a dive deep into how we can build a more equitable and inclusive future for women in sport. Featuring those leading the way and taking action to create a better world, from athletes to community organisations. In this session you’ll hear about their inspiring experiences and the incredible impact of their work. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, this discussion will be sure to get you thinking about the power of sport and the positive change it can create.

Speakers include Danielle St James, Chief Executive of Not A Phase, Olympic athlete Alice Dearing and Curve Catwalk Founder Trina Nicole. Chaired by Miriam Walker-Khan, Sky Sports' first Diversity and Inclusion reporter, and writer and editor for SEASON zine.

Venue: Royal Festival Hall

This is the big question – how do we get more men to support women and girls? How do we encourage men to battle everything from the rise and rise of misogyny influencers, the pervasiveness of "benevolent sexism", through to showing up for EDI programmes and calling out sexism and harassment when they see it? And how do men themselves benefit from this process? We need men and boys to be part of the movement for gender equity. This session will be a wide ranging discussion on the practicalities, challenges and huge benefits of men being part of the movement. There'll be lots of solutions and we hope lots of men in the audience. All welcome!

Led by Dr Dan Guinness, Founder of Beyond Equality, with actor and musician Jordan Stephens, speaker, author and social changemaker Elliott Rae and Social Impact Campaigns Strategist for Movember Sarah Sternberg.

This session is presented in partnership with Beyond Equality

Venue: The Clore Ballroom

Does the idea of a ‘Gratitude Journal’ fill you with rage? In a year where ‘Permacrisis’ has been chosen as Collins’ Dictionary word of the year, where incidents of violence against women are on the rise – increasingly perpetrated by institutions that are supposed to protect us – rage seems like a justifiable response. Join award-winning poet Kim Moore in this interactive workshop where you can channel some of this anger in your own Rage Journal. Kim’s hybrid book of lyric essays and poetry Are You Judging Me Yet? Poetry and Everyday Sexism will be published by Seren in March 2023.

Venue: Foyle Pavilion

From resisting racism in the 60’s East End, the Bengali squatters movement and the current #SaveBrickLane campaign to protect Bangla Town from devastating redevelopment, Bangladeshi and Bengali communities have long been at the forefront of social justice campaigns in Britain. But what exactly do we know about these histories and why isn’t there greater recognition of this activism?

Join us for a rich and informative session celebrating a radical history of resistance and political organising.

Speakers include academic Dr Fatima Rajina; award-winning arts educator Farzana Khan; Head of Research at Runnymede Trust Dr Shabna Begum; and poet and disability rights advocate Raisa Hassan.

Venue: Level 4 Green Bar

In this very special event, we welcome internationally renowned activist, model, writer and broadcaster Munroe Bergdorf to WOW, in conversation with Azieb-Hannah Pool, Artistic Director/CEO of Bernie Grant Arts Centre, to discuss her life-affirming, heartfelt and intimate book Transitional.

Through the story of one woman’s extraordinary mission to live with authenticity, Transitional shows us that we all transition, we all develop as people; it’s what binds us, not what separates us. Join Munroe as she shares how to heal, how to build a stronger community and how to evolve as a society out of shame and into pride.

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Munroe Bergdorf will be joining WOW via live link up. Azieb-Hannah Pool will interview her from the venue in person.

Venue: Level 4 Blue Bar

The 2022 Girls' Day School Trust’s Girls’ Futures report showed that young people seek integrity and kindness in their leaders. Businesses with more women in leadership positions outperform companies dominated by men. During the pandemic, countries led by women fared better than those with male leaders. Girls are bombarded with ideas that they must be nurturing, compassionate, understanding, good listeners. So… has the patriarchy shot itself in the foot? Has the social conditioning of girls and women made them better suited to lead?

Speakers include author Genelle Aldred; FinTech CEO India Gary-Martin; Tampon Tax campaigner Laura Coryton; activist Kaisha-Wade Speid; and Headteacher Jo Sharrock.

This session is presented in partnership with Girls' Day School Trust

Venue: Level 5 Function Room

Jasmin Harsono is the founder of the wellness brand and space Emerald and Tiger. Everyone is welcome as Jasmin guides you on a deeply relaxing sound bath journey using the gong, crystal frosted and singing bowls, drum, healing voice and other sound-healing instruments.

The intention is to hold a safe space allowing you to go inwards, rest and receive all you need in the present moment. So take time to unwind and get cosy as you are serenaded into a sound journey. Here you will begin to deepen your body, heart and spirit through the healing properties of sound.

Venue: Sunley Pavilion

Come and hear some of the world’s best and most compelling speakers talk about the things they care about most. From feminist killjoys to being famous with a baby – there’ll be something for everyone in this fascinating session. Including:

• Author and feminist thinker Sara Ahmed on how we can turn the feminist killjoy into a source of strength and solidarity.

• Comedian Luisa Omielan on being famous with a baby - and other things she thought she’d be at 40

• Activist Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah on her daughter Ella’s legacy, the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death

• FTSE 100 business leader Sara Weller CBE shares the case for Diversability inclusion and her fight for people to see her ability not her disability

Venue: Royal Festival Hall

While many women are moving into their dream careers and stepping into their confidence in midlife, this shift can also bring relationship changes, increased caring responsibilities and health issues. So how do we celebrate and embrace this new phase while building a supportive space for the challenges it may present? In this talk we look at just how brilliant midlife can be, how women are discovering new ways of being and the new communities springing up to support the challenges that come along with this new phase of life.

Speakers include Eleanor Mills, the founder of Noon and an award-winning editor, writer and broadcaster; comedian, writer and actress Meera Syal; Shadow Secretary of State for Women & Equalities Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East; and Sandie Okoro, Group General Counsel at Standard Chartered Bank and Chair of The WOW Foundation.

Venue: The Clore Ballroom

We’ve heard of the Glass Ceiling, but what’s the Glass Cliff? We ask why women are being made the fall guys in the workplace. What happens when marginalised groups or individuals take a position at the top, only to have their chance of success limited right from the start because of bias and institutional prejudice? Join this group of experts to discuss how we understand and change this.

Speakers include Sophie Williams, author of Millennial Black and Anti-Racist Ally, Racial Equity Consultant and ex-Netflix Global leader; journalist, author, curator and Artistic Director & CEO of Bernie Grant Arts Centre Azieb-Hannah Pool;Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, CEO of Stemettes and author of She's In CTRL: How women can take back tech.

Venue: Sunley Pavilion

Dance is more than entertainment, it’s a joyful and powerful expression of creative movement. Come and participate in an inclusive dance class by The Curve Catwalk; guaranteed to get you moving and feeling part of an empowered community.

Founded by Trina Nicole, the platform celebrates dance for all bodies and all voices. So if you want to learn a fun routine in a welcoming and safe space, sign-up, get involved and show off your best moves. Everyone is welcome!

Presented in Partnership with Nike

Venue: Level 4 Green Bar

Some say we’re living through a sexual revolution, spurred on by shifting sexual desires and the increased popularity of sex parties. Meanwhile, others argue we’re living through a ‘sex recession’, pointing to trends like #celibacy TikTok and data showing Gen Z are having a lot less sex than millennials and boomers. But what does it all mean and what does the future of sex really look like?

Whether you're a sexpert or dont know your homo-sapiens from your sapio-sexuals, join this fun and lively discussion as our panel of experts try to make sense of it all.

Speakers include Sex Talks creator Emma-Louise Boynton; Simona Xu; Kenny Ethan Jones and Ana Kirova.

Venue: Level 4 Blue Bar

Women have historically been resigned to the domestic space and the idea of ‘homemaking’, but how do we think of home now in today's society? Can we make sure our homes work for us at all stages of life and find hope in the housing systems that have failed us? Join us for this fascinating discussion on home with two of the UK’s most popular journalists and writers – Kieran Yates and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff.

This session will be followed by a special book signing of Kieran Yates’ All The Houses I’ve Ever Lived In in advance of her publication date

Venue: Level 5 Function Room

Learn about WOW Festivals across the world. Since it began in 2010, WOW has taken place in over 30 locations across six continents. Hear from WOWs in Rio de Janeiro, Rotherham, Pakistan and more – prepare to be WOW’d! Chaired by WOW Australia’s Executive Producer Cathy Hunt.

Speakers include WOW Rotherham Community Producer Noor Salih; Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui from the WOW Pakistan curating team and Maíra Gabriel Anhorn and Andreza Jorge from WOW Rio de Janeiro.

Venue: Foyle Pavilion

English actress, comedian, writer, producer and director Kathy Burke joins WOW for the first time ever.

Kathy Burke is one of the UK’s most loved entertainers, documentary makers and now directors. From her iconic roles in Harry Enfield and Chums, Absolutely Fabulous, spearheading documentaries like Money Talks and All Woman, through to her most recent smash-hit podcast Where There's A Will, There's A Wake, Kathy Burke has done it all. Here she talks with WOW Founder Jude Kelly about the journey to directing, the joys and challenges along the way, and the tools she’s used at the turning points in her life.

Venue: Royal Festival Hall

Our childcare costs are some of the most expensive in the world, and yet with the rising cost of living and more people being forced back into the workplace, the figures keep rising.

From the march of the mummies to the corridors of Westminster, calls for reform are more urgent than ever, but the sector remains underfunded and in need of radical change.

Join us for this lively discussion and have your opportunity to get involved and participate in the debate as we call for urgent action and radical reform.

Speakers include Stella Creasy MP; writer and WOW Programmer Sabeena Akhtar; Catherine Mayer, Co-Founder of the Women's Equality Party and author; Publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove; Chief of Staff of the Women’s Equality Party Hannah Peaker; and Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed Joeli Brearley.

Venue: The Clore Ballroom

With eight million women in the UK experiencing hair loss or alopecia, and celebrities such as Jada Pinkett Smith sharing their stories on the world’s stage, there is now a much greater awareness of these conditions. However, there is still no cure for alopecia and with cases rising through the Covid pandemic, more research is needed for this autoimmune disorder. In this session we’ll explore how women are often told that their beauty is bound up with the length and weight of their hair, and the intense distress and shame when they experience hair loss.

Speakers include Gina Knight, Founder of the award-winning Gina Knight Wig Design brand; Jasmine Cooray, a psychotherapist and poet; Dr. Nadia Craddock, body image researcher and co-host of The Body Protest and Appearance Matters podcast; and Bea Colley, freelance Literature Producer and Programmer at WOW.

Venue: Sunley Pavilion

Confidence Boost! is a one hour, fun and interactive session to equip you with simple, quick, and effective techniques to boost your confidence. Explore a variety of physical, breathing and refocusing techniques to enhance confidence, manage negative self-talk and improve connection. Leave feeling inspired, empowered and motivated to apply your newfound skills!

The workshop will be led by Communication Practitioner Sarah Blumenau.

Venue: Foyle Pavilion

As the cost of living crisis deepens and heating banks are now popping up to join food banks already at breaking point across the UK, join us to discuss how having disabilities or being in vulnerable positions can make the situation even more frightening.

Speakers include Sarah Howard, theatre director, disability activist and Access Manager; Imkaan’s Senior Policy and Projects Coordinator Nadia Baksh; Helen Undy, CEO of Money and Mental Health; and stripper, performance artist, writer and activist Stacey Clare.

Venue: Level 4 Green Bar

Home Girls Unite – the support group for eldest immigrant daughters – join us for a session on the everyday realities of being an eldest immigrant daughter. In this fascinating conversation, we’ll hear how the role can affect the different aspects of our lives – both negatively and positively – as well as sharing advice on how to thrive, gain autonomy and carve out moments of joy and laughter among the responsibilities.

Everyone is welcome to this session and it will be followed by a short networking event.

Speakers include Co-Founder of Home Girls Unite Yasin Bojang; Esther Oluga; HGU Advisory Member Aisha Al-Abdallah; and Ify Adenuga, author and mother to Skepta, Jme, Julie and Jason Adenuga.

Venue: Level 4 Blue Bar

Join The Consent Collective as they record an episode of their podcast gameshow How to be Good in Bed as part of WOW 2023. Expect to learn and laugh as panellists compete to win the accolade of being good in bed in the game show that touches on pleasure, consent and relationships in all the right ways (as long as they are enthusiastically consenting).

Venue: Level 5 Function Room

The climate crisis is now more urgent than ever, with what the UN describes as 'half of humanity living in the danger zone'. Join a group of the world’s leading climate change and social justice activists for this urgent conversation to discover the situation on the ground and ask what must be done in order to tackle the crisis. With an estimated seven years left to enact meaningful change, how can we make the climate crisis a priority and imagine a future without it?

Speakers include Pat Mitchell, the Editorial Director of TEDWomen and author of Becoming a Dangerous Woman; Environmental activist and member of Chad’s pastoralist Mbororo community Hindou Ibrahim; President of Women in Africa Initiative Hafsat Abiola; Climate Justice Activist, Author and Podcast Host Mikaela Loach; Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar and former Irish President Mary Robinson.

June Oscar is appearing at the festival with support from WOW Australia

Venue: Royal Festival Hall