Laura Bates, Poorna Bell, Jordan Stephens and loads more join WOW London line-up

The first speakers for WOW London 2027's Day Pass line-up (5-7 March at Southbank Centre) have been announced! 

WOW founder Jude Kelly CBE will open the festival on the Friday morning, setting the tone for a day of big questions and bold ideas. Acclaimed author Laura Bates, founder of Everyday Sexism joins educator and speaker Ben Hurst, to dissect misogyny, its impact and how we challenge the cultures that allow it to thrive. Author and journalist Poorna Bell discusses what it means to build a meaningful life outside motherhood, whilst further sessions throughout the day will delve into issues such as the booming weight-loss drug phenomenon, exploring body image, diet culture and eating disorders, alongside the links between beauty pressures, power and sexual violence.

BBC Radio 1Xtra broadcaster Richie Brave will take part in a moving conversation about sibling loss as part of the Saturday Day Pass Programme, exploring the unique grief of losing someone who has been part of your story from the very beginning. Activist and artist Joeli Brearley brings her expertise and campaigning spirit to conversations about work, equality and parenthood whilst artist and educator Kay Rufai explores identity, vulnerability and self-expression through his playful Mask On, Mask Off workshop. Other sessions throughout the Saturday will explore topics such as bonesmashing and bigorexia, unpack   looksmaxxing and the pursuit of the ‘perfect’ face and body, and consider how to counter some of the pressures facing young people online. Additional speakers who will form part of the Saturday line up include comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig and writer, speaker and model Maxine Heron and podcaster Freddie Feltham, host of What’s Left Podcast with more to be announced.

On the final day of the Festival, the Sunday Day Pass Programme will bring together acclaimed authors Aja Barber, Natasha Walter, Angela Saini and journalist and activist Zahra Joya to discuss what feminism can offer in turbulent times, exploring solidarity, inequality, power and possibilities for building a fairer future. Professor Joanna Bourke will join the conversation around “Himpathy”, whose pain gets centred, who gets humanised and how gender shapes the stories we tell about people who cause harm. The session will examine why men who harm women can so often receive sympathetic backstories, while victims are pushed out of the frame. Further sessions will feature performances by poet Hollie McNish as part of her 2027 UK tour, musician, artist, writer and activist Jordan Stephens will discuss masculinity, mental health, identity and change. 

Throughout the weekend there’ll be music, joyful pop ups, laughter and ways to get involved - more to be announced!

Find out more and book your Day Pass tickets here. Plus, tickets are also on sale Gisèle Pelicot & Tarana Burke.