To mark #International Women’s Day, the Kentish Town-based charity Clean Break, a theatre company working with women in the criminal justice system, are hosting an event on Thursday 11th March.
Founded in Camden back in 1979 by two former inmates from Askham Grange, the charity’s work is a positive force for change in prisons and in the community. Two years ago, we celebrated their 40th anniversary with an interview with artistic director Anna Hermann here.
This year International Women’s Day is inviting everyone to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality, as well as seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.
Clean Break are teaming up with the charity Birth Companions for a special International Women’s Day event called Disrupted Lives: Choose To Challenge Maternal Imprisonment.
At a time when the government has just announced plans to build 500 new prison places for women, and as the pandemic continues to impact on prisoners’ mental health and wellbeing, Birth Companions and Clean Break have come together to challenge the sentencing of pregnant women and mothers of young children.
With performances from Clean Break’s plays and a panel discussion, the event will explore the issues relating to maternal imprisonment, champion women’s resilience through adversity – and open up conversations around how we can all help drive positive change.
Photo: Helen Maybanks