Wolverhampton will be flying a special flag to mark International Women's Day on Tuesday (8 March, 2016).

The handmade flag was created by the voluntary sector organisation Women of Wolverhampton (WOW) and local textile artist Sue Chand.

She helped WOW members design the flag using the internationally recognised colours of the women's movement. The flag also incorporates the WOW logo and themes of equality in the "waves of women" who have challenged discrimination and worked to increase opportunities for women.

The flag will be raised outside the Civic Centre on Monday morning (7 March) and Councillor Mike Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Equalities Champion, said: "I am delighted that we will be marking International Women's Day by flying this special flag.

"It symbolises the importance which the City of Wolverhampton Council attaches to the equalities agenda which must to be uppermost in all our thinking if we are to maximise opportunity for all."

Sally Cook, Director of Women of Wolverhampton, said: "I am delighted that the project has been so successful and I'm looking forward to seeing the flag flying outside the Civic Centre.

"I'd like to thank the 25 women from different groups and diverse communities who took part in the flag design workshops, and Creative Black Country for funding the project."

As well as the flag, individual pennants were also created which will be displayed as bunting at Newhampton Arts Centre from Sunday (6 March, 2016) to Saturday 12 March, 2016.

International Women's Day, originally called International Working Women's Day, is celebrated 8 March every year.

  • released: Thursday 3 March, 2016