Lessons in women empowerment from Jude Kelly's WOW festivals

Jude Kelly has been at the helm of a festival celebrating women for 14 years. Launched in 2010 at London’s Southbank Centre to coincide with International Women’s Day, WOW (Women of the World) aimed to celebrate women and girls while acknowledging the challenges they face.

Over the years, WOW festivals have expanded to six continents, reaching over 5 million people. This year’s UK event in Manchester boasts a lineup ranging from Spice Girl Mel B to Australia’s former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

WOW has evolved into a charitable foundation with a presence in 23 countries. Each WOW festival is created by local women, ensuring content that reflects the cultural context of each region.

Jude Kelly firmly believes that including men and boys in the conversation for gender equality is crucial, as evidenced by the Being a Man festival she founded to address the mental health crisis among men. Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic about the road ahead.