An International Women’s Day event in Dalston saw women makers and doers celebrated in Hackney, with the deputy mayor encouraging more women to get into politics.

The Woman’s Fayre, organised by community organisation Akka, was held at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden on March 13.

It followed International Women’s Day (March 8). This year the global day’s theme was #breakthebias.

Ham & High: The event celebrated women makers and doers in Hackney and beyondThe event celebrated women makers and doers in Hackney and beyond (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

The event featured food for the community, speeches, and local stalls, as well as an arts table where people were encouraged to write the word peace in different world languages.

Hackney’s deputy mayor and portfolio holder for education, young people and children’s social care, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, spoke at the gathering.

Ham & High: Hackney’s deputy mayor Cllr Anntoinette Bramble spoke about women in politics at the eventHackney’s deputy mayor Cllr Anntoinette Bramble spoke about women in politics at the event (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

Ham & High: The event was held at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden in HackneyThe event was held at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden in Hackney (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

As the first Black woman to become the deputy mayor of Hackney, the councillor talked about the importance of “building legacy” and of more women getting involved in politics.

She told people at the event: “We are here to elevate our voice.

“So, as a woman, as a black woman you can imagine that in politics you don’t see a lot of people like me.

“I try not to let that phase me, but I make sure that every time I’m in that space people understand the validity of having different voices in that space.”

Ham & High: Attendees were invited to write the word peace in various world languagesAttendees were invited to write the word peace in various world languages (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

Ham & High: The event featured local traders and their stallsThe event featured local traders and their stalls (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

Cllr Bramble, talked about the need for more women in places of influence and power.

She added: “And that’s what I mean about building legacy, I think that any time we as women are in a place or power and influence there is an opportunity to shape what happens there.”

Founder of Akka, Ketchurah Ravindren, spoke about creating a “sisterhood of shared experiences”.

Ham & High: Founder of Akka, the group that organised the event, Ketchurah RavindrenFounder of Akka, the group that organised the event, Ketchurah Ravindren (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

“Something I would have wanted for my younger self”, she added.

Akka, which means older sister in Tamil, a language spoken by people in various countries in South Asia.

The group has worked on campaigns and shoe box appeals, to challenge stigmas and help collect and donate vital supplies, such as period products, to local women in need.

Ham & High: This year's International Women's Day theme was #breakthebiasThis year's International Women's Day theme was #breakthebias (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

Ham & High: People of all ages attended the Women's Day eventPeople of all ages attended the Women's Day event (Image: Aggie Cherrie)

The event was organised in association with other local groups, including Volunteer Centre Hackney, Tricky Period and Peace In The Streets.

To find out more about the Akka project, visit www.instagram.com/theakkaproject