THE Women of the World - WOW - festival is returning to Bradford next month and a host of women who hail from the city are to take centre stage at the event's workshops, debates and performances.

The festival, which celebrates and recognises the achievement of women and girls, began life in 2010 and now runs in 20 cities across five continents, reaching more than 1.5 million people.

This year's WOW programme includes a line-up of more than 45 different events all of which feature speakers from Bradford, as well as nationally and internationally recognised trailblazers.

Events will cover a range of hard-hitting issues including body confidence, everyday activism and environmental racism.

Julie Longden and members of the Hope Rising Action Group will be among those flying the flag for Bradford.

They will be speaking out against poverty and running workshops at the festival.

“WOW Bradford is important because it gives the opportunity for local people to share their stories," said Julie.

"It’s essential to give women of colour and working class people a platform to speak

about the issues that they’re facing on their own terms, and people need to hear what a

range of different women have to say.”

Campaign Bootcamp's Sue Balcomb will be leading a session teaching people how to be activists in their communities, while local vlogger Kat Pemberton, who is using makeup to change attitudes towards disability, will speak on the 'Makeup and Me' panel.

Teenage activists from Speaker's Corner Collective will lead the discussion on issues including mental health and self image on panels like 'I am Perfect as Me' and throughout the programme.

Madeyah Khan, a member of Speaker’s Corner Collective, said: “WOW Bradford is important for women in Bradford as it helps ensure that the opinions of everyone, regardless of their protected characteristics, can be shared and heard.

"I am Perfect As Me, the talk I am speaking on, demonstrates how WOW festivals are beneficial for all women because they help us talk about taboo issues like mental health, self image and family relationships, in a positive space.”

This year’s WOWsers, a group of 15 to 18 year old volunteers are also

supporting the running of the event, which will take place at Kala Sangam over the weekend of November 17-18.