TO MARK International Women’s Day on Friday, a newly-formed political party branch hosted a series of podcasts exploring the theme of women in the workplace.

As part of this year’s day’s theme of Balance for Better, the Basingstoke Branch of the Women’s Equality (WE) Party joined with local forum Women on Work to produce the shows.

Themes covered in the podcasts were to include starting up a business, preparing to enter employment, CV advice, workplace inequality and returning to work after a career break. The podcasts aim to provide support and advice from talented and well-respected individuals in business from the area.

Stacy Hart, Basingstoke WE Branch Leader said, “WE Basingstoke is delighted to be teaming up with Women on Work for our first International Women’s Day event.

“International Woman’s Day enables us to reaffirm our dedication to achieving equality but, more importantly, to commit to specific objectives that will work towards that equality.

“WE Basingstoke is very excited to be co-hosting this podcast series that will offer practical and insightful ways to overcome the barriers women find in the world of work.”

Women on Work is a community support group in Basingstoke whose mission is to empower women to share support and experience through events, mentoring and campaigning and to enable women to return to work through confidence building and practical training.

Deputy leader at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, and co-founder of Women on Work, Councillor Terri Reid said: “Women on Work are thrilled to be collaborating with WE Basingstoke on this exciting project.

“Our priority is to work with others whenever possible to explore work related issues and identify real solutions that benefit everyone.

“We also want to ensure that there are clear signposts to the resources that are readily available for women to return or enter the workplace with confidence and support.”

The WE Basingstoke branch officially launched on March 2, with the aim is to grow the branch slowly, focusing on local objectives, with plans to enter a candidate in the borough council elections to be held in May

The podcasts are now available to download and listen from womensequality.org.uk/basinsgtoke.