This week is all about celebrating and empowering women.

Woman’s Action Network Dorset (WAND) is bringing its their fourth Dorset Women’s Week following on from the success of the last three years.

This year it runs until Saturday, March 10 and there will be a host of events and activities being held throughout the week either specifically for women or to celebrate women.

The week culminates in its thirteenth Dorset Women’s Day on which is being held from 10am until 3.30pm at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester.

Dorset Women’s Week and Dorset Women’s Day celebrate International Woman’s Day, held on Thursday, March 8.

The theme for this year is again is Empowering Women, but this year it is extra special as WAND celebrates 100 years of women’s suffrage.

WAND has two patrons, Harriet Walter, actor and writer and Tracey West, author, broadcaster and poet.

Tracey said: "'Suffrage’ is the right to vote in public affairs and political elections. It commonly marks the long and winding road that describes female emancipation and universal suffrage for women, which is being highlighted throughout February across the country.” WAND is hosting a week of inspiring events that chime with the passion roused within the suffrage movement. It happens to coincide with the centenary of The Representation of the People Act, 1918, the commencement of which finally allowed British women over the age of 30, who met certain property qualifications, to vote for the first time. They went on to exercise that right at the general election later that year.”

Activities taking place as part of Dorset Women’s Week include a range of performances, workshops, film and talks at the Bridport Arts Centre, a wonderful guided walk with the RSPB at the Arne Nature Reserve, a presentation of The Boadicea of Britannia Street to raise money for Domestic Abuse Intervention Training, a concert of original, inspiring music from singer-songwriter Magdalena Atkinson, opportunities to relax through mindfulness and yoga, a conference and awards evening celebrating Successful Women and a chance to learn and share life strategies in Lyme Regis.

Dorset Women’s Day, which is free to attend, offers a variety of treats including live music, freshly prepared lunches and 25 different workshops where you can try things as diverse as book binding, belly dancing, clay working, choir singing and ukulele playing. There is even the chance to learn how to sleep better.

The workshops start at 10.45am, but to register you need to arrive from 10am. As well as the activities there will be nearly 30 stalls selling a range of delightful items and sharing information.

Find out more about WAND by visiting wandwomen.org.uk/