International Women’s Day becomes a more prevalent feature in our calendar each year, and rightly so. On the one hand the day – which falls on 8 March – is a celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women through history. On the other, it’s an opportunity to talk openly about how we might address ever-present gender imbalances in society today and what needs to change, with this year’s theme being #AccelerateAction.

The annual event comes in the form of an array of cultural happenings around the world. Here’s a rundown of the most eye-catching events happening on and around the day in Manchester and the North.