ON OUR RADAR

2025 International Women’s Festival

A free one-day festival celebrating women with live music, art, workshops, panel discussions and more.

Leigh Curtis

A free one-day festival celebrating women is being held at Exeter Phoenix on Saturday 15 March following International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March.

The programme includes music from the Newtown Roots Band and The Corduroy Curiosities with a workshop and choir led by Wren Music.

There will also be panel discussions and a screening of a short film about women’s health in the NHS. Work by artists including Pat Bray, Petra Lewin and Josie Gould will be on display in the auditorium.

Alongside belly dance, zumba, Italian folk dance and collage workshops there will also be children’s activities and stalls by women’s organisations.

International Womens Festival 2025 poster

The event is being hosted by Devon United Women and will be held in memory of its member Dr Anil Lee, who founded Multilingua Devon and was a board member of Exeter Respect.

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on 8 March each year. It focusses on women’s rights, gender inequality, reproductive rights and violence and abuse against women.

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

The 2025 International Women’s Festival takes place from 11am-4pm on Saturday 15 March 2025 at Exeter Phoenix. It is free to attend.

To view the full programme visit the Exeter Phoenix website.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Dartmoor wildfire on 5 May 2025, photo by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk.

Former Firezza in Sidwell Street to become adult gaming centre

24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal

Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit.

Haven Banks development illustrative aerial view

Twelve months temporary church use extension sought for Haven Banks Liveable Exeter development site units

Second year of “worship and ancillary uses” for retail park units to follow December 2023 planning approval for ultra-high density build-to-rent scheme for which neither planning permission nor consent notice yet published.

Exeter College in Hele Road

Petroc and Exeter College governors agree “merger in principle”

Further and higher education colleges with Barnstaple, Tiverton and several Exeter sites will now consider consequences of creating what would be largest college group in South West with public consultation due on plans before November decision.

Corner of Fore Street and West Street with St Mary Steps church in the background

Planning inspector upholds decision to refuse fifth additional storey in build-to-rent scheme above Crankhouse Coffee

Twelve year-old permission to add one full and one stepped-back storey to West Street elevation and remove all commercial space nevertheless remains extant.

2025 Devon County Council elections party vote share change by district

Lib Dems take command at County Hall despite Reform UK surge as Conservatives lose 33 seats and Labour is wiped out

2025 Devon County Council elections leave balance of power in Green Party hands as local government reorganisation takes centre stage on regional political agenda.