London: The Labour Asian Society hosted a significant event at the House of Commons committee room in the British Parliament to mark International Women’s Day, bringing together prominent political leaders, diplomats, and community figures to celebrate and promote women’s empowerment.
The event aimed to encourage and inspire women to advance in all spheres of life while recognising their contributions to society. It highlighted the vital role women play in shaping communities and strengthening social and political progress.
A key focus of the event was to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of women and to reinforce the message of empowering women across different sectors. The gathering was attended by several Members of Parliament and distinguished guests from diverse professional backgrounds.
Addressing the audience, speakers emphasised that women are equal partners in progress and success in every field. They noted that throughout history, women have played a crucial role in the development and prosperity of nations and continue to contribute significantly in all areas of society.
Among those who addressed the event were Rt. Hon. Lucy Powell MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Her Excellency Racher Croney, High Commissioner of Grenada, Naushabah Khan MP, Rushanara Ali MP, Dawn Butler MP, Catherine West MP, Hamid Younis, Virendra Sharma, Jess Phillips MP, Saleem Sheikh, Natasha Irons MP, Sonia Davis (National Vice President GMB), Kirith Entwistle and Manish Tewari, along with several other speakers.
The speakers praised the Labour Asian Society for organising the initiative and for its continued efforts to encourage and support women in leadership and community engagement. They stressed that women’s participation and leadership remain essential for the continued progress and prosperity of the United Kingdom.
One of the highlights of the programme was the presentation of the “Women of the Year” Awards in recognition of outstanding contributions to society and the promotion of women’s empowerment. The award recipients included Dawn Butler MP, Her Excellency Racher Croney, High Commissioner of Grenada, Tamaryn Blay, Poonam Bal, Fathima Sajeeha Ameen and Shamaila Iftikhar.
The event was hosted by Harpreet Uppla MP & Maria Soraya, Head of the Women’s Wing of the Labour Asian Society, who served as the master of ceremonies.
At the beginning of the programme, tribute was paid to the late Dr Councillor Ayesha Raza from Ealing Borough, whose sudden passing was acknowledged with deep respect. The audience observed a one-minute silence in recognition of her services and contributions to the community.
