Equalities events
As part of our commitment to equalities, we support a number of events in partnership with local voluntary and community sector organisations to celebrate our diverse community.
Details of activities planned for these events will be communicated through our website and social media channels.
If you have any queries about equalities events, contact equality@wandsworth.gov.uk.
| Date | Event |
| 27 January | Holocaust Memorial Day |
| February | LGBT History Month |
| 8 March | International Women's Day |
| 17 May | International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (and Transgender Day of Remembrance) |
| June |
Refugee Week |
| July to August | South Asian Heritage Month |
| October | Black History Month |
| November | |
| Tuesday 1 December | World AIDS Day |
| Thursday 3 December | International Day of Persons with Disabilities |
Many events are held in the boroughs libraries and other locations. Find out more about other equality events in Wandsworth's libraries.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Date: 27 January
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place each year on 27 January, which marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. It is now a day to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the millions of people killed under Nazi persecution and also in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and elsewhere.
In the UK, thousands of local events and activities take place every year - each one an opportunity for people to reflect on those whose lives were changed beyond recognition and to challenge prejudice, discrimination and hatred in our own society today.
We support the Wimbledon and District Synagogue in its yearly event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Details of events will be advertised in advance.
Information on national and local events can be found on the Holocaust Memorial Trust website.
LGBT History Month
Date: February
LGBT History Month is a month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history.
Delivered through the month of February, LGBT History Month provides an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the history of gay rights and relevant civil rights movements and the achievements and contributions of LGBT communities to Wandsworth.
Details of events will be advertised in advance of the month.
Information on national and local events can be found on the LGBT History Month website.
International Women's Day
Date: 8 March
International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March every year.
The day provides an important showcase commitment to women's equality, launch new initiatives, take action, celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness and highlight gender parity gains.
Details of events will be advertised in advance of the day.
Information on national and local events can be found on the International Women's Day website.
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Date: 17 May
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) takes place on 17 May every year.
This is the international landmark date to mobilise people irrespective of sexual orientation to celebrate sexual and gender diversities.
For us, it is about working with our partners, residents and communities to raise awareness and show solidarity in denouncing the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI communities.
Details of events will be advertised in advance of the day.
Information on the day can be found on the May 17 website.
International Transgender Day of Remembrance
Date: 20 November
International Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually on November 20 as a day to memorialise those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and to draw attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
Refugee Week
Date: June
Refugee Week takes place every year across the world in the week of World Refugee Day on 20 June.
It is a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK and encourages a better understanding between communities.
Refugee Week began in 1998 as a direct reaction to hostility in the media and society in general towards refugees and asylum seekers.
An established part of the UK’s cultural calendar, Refugee Week is now one of the leading national initiatives working to counter this negative climate, defending the importance of sanctuary and the benefits it can bring to both refugees and host communities.
Refugee Week aims to:
- Encourage a diverse range of events to be held throughout the UK, which facilitate positive encounters between refugees and the general public in order to encourage greater understanding and overcome hostility
- Showcase the talent and expertise that refugees bring with them to the UK
- Explore new and creative ways of addressing the relevant issues and reach beyond the refugee sector
- Provide information which educates and raises awareness of the reality of refugee experiences
Details of events will be advertised in advance of the month.
Information on national and local events can be found on the Refugee Week website.
Pride Month
Date: June
Pride in London is an organisation that relies on the passion and commitment of both staff and volunteers who share a common goal of advancing equality and diversity. As a non-profit organisation, any surplus funds it generates are reinvested back into the LGBT+ community, to support initiatives and campaigns that aim to promote greater inclusivity and acceptance.
For more information see Pride in London.
Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month
Date: June
Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) was established in Britain in 2008 as a way of raising awareness of these communities and their contributions to society, and to offset negative stereotyping and prejudices.
The aims of the GRTHM are to:
- Promote knowledge of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history, culture and heritage
- Disseminate information on positive Gypsy, Roma and Traveller contributions to British society
- Heighten the confidence and awareness of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people to their cultural heritage
- Celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture and heritage
Information on national and local events can be found on the Traveller Movement website.
South Asian Heritage Month
Date: July-August
South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) first took place in 2018 and runs from 18 July to 17 August each year. It seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities.
The month seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.
More information about South Asian Heritage Month.
Black History Month
Date: October
Black History Month is a month-long celebration of the story of people and communities of African origin.
Delivered throughout October, Black History Month is dedicated to the achievements and contributions people of African origin have made to the growth and strengthening of civilisations from antiquity to the present.
Black History Month provides the opportunity to educate, raise awareness and celebrate the invaluable contribution to political, social and cultural development of the UK.
There are many events throughout Black History Month which provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution that individuals and communities of African origin have made to life in the borough.
Events are organised by a wide variety of voluntary and community organisations throughout the month and details will be advertised in advance. Council events are often held in local libraries or council-owned buildings.
You can search what events are on both nationally and locally on the Black History Month 365 website.
Windrush Day
Date: 22 June
On 22 June every year, the UK celebrates Windrush Day to honour the British Caribbean community. The observance was first introduced in 2018.
Details of local and national Windrush Day events can be found on the Windrush Day website.
Inter Faith Week
Date: November
Inter Faith Week helps to open inter-faith activity up to a wider audience so that more people are made aware of its importance and are able to participate in it.
Inter Faith Week aims to:
- Strengthen good inter faith relations
- Increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK - celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
- Increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs
Inter Faith Week highlights the good work done by local faith, inter faith and faith-based groups and organisations, and draws new people into inter faith learning and cooperation.
Inter Faith Week is for everyone. Anyone can take attend or organise an event during the week.
Wandsworth's Inter Faith Week is led by the Wandsworth Multi-Faith Group. Details of events will be advertised in advance.
You can search for local and national events on the Inter Faith Week website.
Purple Tuesday
Date: November
Purple Tuesday is an international call to action, focused on changing the customer experience for disabled people. It will involve organisations of all sizes and from all sectors taking decisive, practical actions to meet the needs of disabled customers. It is about creating a step change improvement in the awareness of the value and needs of disabled customers and about making the customer experience accessible. Participating organisations will make public commitments (a minimum of one new activity or initiative) to ensure sustainable changes are made. For organisations, this will result in the opening up of products and services to the disability market.
Find out more information on Purple Tuesday.
World AIDS Day
Date: 1 December
World AIDS Day was founded in 1988 and was the first ever global health day. It takes place on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV and to show support for people living with HIV. World AIDS Day also commemorates those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. The main way people demonstrate their support on World AIDS Day is by wearing a red ribbon.
Details of events will be advertised in advance of the month.
Information on national and local events can be found on the World AIDS Day website.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Date: 3 December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities was established in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly.
It aims to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in all spheres of society and to increase awareness in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Details of events will be advertised in advance of the day.
Information on the day can be found on the UN website.