Human rights charity René Cassin reveals new women’s rights festival

René Cassin, a UK human rights NGO, is holding a ten-day celebration of women’s rights in response to growing concern over violence against women and girls. More than 30 events are scheduled as part of the New Horizons Festival, which includes high-profile speakers such as:

• MPs Jess Phillips, Caroline Nokes, Margaret Hodge, and Stella Creasy
• Harriet Wistrich, solicitor and founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice, who has represented women who have been sexually assaulted or who have killed violent partners
• Jess Cummin, artist and disability activist
• Rahima Mahmut, London-based campaigner against China’s repression of its Uyghur Muslims

From social media to politics and activism to dating, the festival strives to provide women and girls with the knowledge and skills they need to combat violence and toxicity. Women’s position in Jewish religion and culture, as well as the strength and relevance of interfaith solidarity, will be major themes, as René Cassin is a Jewish charity.

Festival organiser, René Cassin’s Rachel Vogler said: “Much-publicised recent murders are the horrific tip of an iceberg of widespread, endemic violence and discrimination blighting the lives of women and girls. This toxic culture denies women their fundamental human rights – whether at work or in education, in the public realm or in the privacy of a dating app, online or in person.

This has to change. We’ve called this festival ‘New Horizons’ because we can see a better, safer world – one built by, and for, women. This festival gives women some of the tools they need to start to build that world. It is celebration of the tireless and under-valued work that women do, the power of their solidarity, and the belief that they can shape a better future.”