THE district will be celebrating the women who make Bradford special this weekend with a number of events in the diary.

International Women's Day will take place tomorrow, providing an important opportunity to celebrate women's achievements while calling for greater equality.

This year's theme is 'I am Generation Equality: Realising Women's Rights'.

To mark the occasion we asked a series of inspirational and prominent Bradford women what they love about International Women's Day.

One of those who shared her thoughts was Kersten England, the chief executive of Bradford Council, who believes the annual event is a chance to 'tackle the inequalities that still remain' in our society.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The council chief told the Telegraph & Argus: "It’s a privilege to work with so many amazing Bradfordian women. What marks them out for me is their gutsy tenacity, ingenuity and generous spirit.

"Bradford women have often been pioneers charting new ground e.g. Margaret McMillan establishing Early Years Education and Florence White’s campaign for equality for single women in the early 20th century, through to Fiona Broadfoot campaigning to change the law to decriminalize women who were groomed into the sex industry and Syima Aslam establishing a world renowned literature festival in the city.

"IWD is a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come in terms of equality for women and to renew our commitment to tackle the inequalities that still remain.

"We’ve come a long way in terms of legislative equality and equality of opportunity in terms of education and employment. But the truth is too many women are still excluded from opportunity, struggling to make ends meet and experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse. We need to change that."

From a one-mile walk in City Park, Bradford tomorrow from 12.30pm to a night of all female DJs at The Brick Box Rooms tonight, there's plenty of ways to get involved.

The Women's March Through Time exhibition will be open to the public between noon and 2pm at The Peace Museum this Sunday.

It features women from the Chartists through to modern day. Meet the experts and hear the experiences of women and girls involved in the project.

There is an Amazing Women Disco at The Kirkgate Centre between 7.30pm and 11pm. It is a pay as you feel event, with a suggested £5 donation.

The International Women's Day Heritage Tour will take place at St George's Hall this Saturday.

This includes the stage and backstage areas and the Pioneering Bradford Lasses exhibition.

Tickets for the tour, which starts at 11am, are priced £7. Call 01274 432000 or go to bradford-theatres.co.uk.

A full series of interviews with Bradford women will be available online today and tomorrow.