The PEN International Women Writers Committee (PIWCC) is hosting its annual meeting March 10-11, 2023, online.

Five months since the tragic passing of Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini – who died after two and half days in a coma after the Iranian morality police arrested her for not wearing a hijab correctly- women and men of all ages continue rallying against the needless death of this young woman and the broader repression it represents.

Please join us to discuss the challenges faced by women globally, as they exercise their right to freedom of expression, and identify approaches to overcome these.

Click HERE to register, deadline is the 5th of March 2023.

• Agenda

  Day 1. Friday, March 10, 13:00-16:00 UK time

  ·        Empty Chair #1

  ·        Keynote address by Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee

  ·        In Memoriam of: writer and formed Chair of the Women Writers Committee (1994-96) Greta Rana; and writer and activist Meredith Tax

  ·        Chair’s Report[ST1] 

  ·        Workshop: The power of Social Media- by Judyth Hill, President of PEN San Miguel

  ·        PEN International Policy on Sexual Harassment by Zoe Rodriguez, Chair, PEN International Women Writers Committee

  ·        Wrap on VIDA Count by Tanja Tuma, PEN International Board Member

  ·        Innovations: Top 10 works by women writers across PEN Centres

  ·        Panel Discussion: Freedom of expression in Afghanistan and Iran

  ·        Closing remarks by Zoe Rodriguez, Chair, PEN International Women Writers Committee

  Day 2. Saturday, March 11, 13:00-16:00 UK time

  ·        Empty Chair #2

  ·        Keynote Address Reports from Centres

  ·        Empty Chair #3

  ·        (Iranian) Poetry Reading: “Know Her Words: Women’s Poetry from Around the World

• Practical information

  The sessions will be held online as a closed, invitation-only meeting. Further details and technical information will be communicated to confirmed participants closer to the meeting.

  The sessions will be recorded by the Secretariat for reporting purposes only and will not be broadcast or published later.

  This meeting will be organised under the Chatham House Rule, and participants will not be allowed to record.

  The sessions will be held in English only. Unfortunately, no interpretation can be provided. We apologise for this inconvenience.