On International Day of the Girl (Wed 11 Oct 2023) WOW hosted a morning of live events on London’s South Bank that included the first outing of The WOW Bus, WOW Speed Mentoring on the London Eye, and live talks and workshops.

WOW Speed Mentoring on the London Eye is a unique experience for both mentors and mentees who share their stories, dreams and ambitions as they soar over London. This year's event offered 150 girls and non-binary people (13-19-yrs old), from 30+ schools / community groups across London and beyond, the opportunity to meet 150 highly influential and inspiring women and non binary people including award-winning poet Joelle Taylor, author Ify Adenuga, author and activist Charlie Craggs, novelist, journalist and broadcaster Elizabeth Day, author and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project Laura Bates, Founder of Own ItCrystal Mahey-Morgan, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Bishi, award-winning journalist, public speaker and author Poorna Bell and Barbie 2023 Role Model Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Each student was matched with three different mentors for 15-minute sessions during which they shared their dreams and ambitions during two complete rotations of the lastminute.com London Eye.

Mentors came from a wide range of professional backgrounds and industries including leaders from global corporations such as Standard Chartered, Nike, Path Financial, Amazon, Google and Bloomberg, women who are founders of charities and campaign organisations, as well as journalists, athletes, theatre makers and more. Crossing sectors including science, tech, finance, arts, politics and media, the students are given a unique snapshot into the ways in which women and non-binary people are paving the way for the future.

Previous mentors for WOW Speed Mentoring on the London Eye have included radio presenter and DJ Clara Amfo, actor Gillian Anderson, Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, Refuge CEO Ruth Davison, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and comedian Ruby Wax.

The WOW Girls Festival is supported by BBC Children In Need and in partnership with WOW UK Girls Champion Barbie who are extending the tour to reach primary aged children, and WOW Global Girls Champion Standard Chartered Bank who are supporting the Girls Festival’s international reach.