Charitable housing association BCHA and financial services firm J.P. Morgan are to join forces to host a programme of International Women’s Day activities in Bournemouth Square.

Colleagues from both organisations will then go on to sleep in the Square to raise funds and awareness of domestic abuse, violence against women, bias and discrimination.

BCHA, with the support of J.P. Morgan, will host the March 8 open afternoon and evening of guest speakers, poetry, yoga, music, and meditation to recognise and celebrate the barriers encountered and overcome.

International Women’s Day – #IWD22 – is a global event to commemorate the cultural, political and socio-economic achievements of women.

This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias to encourage a gender-equal world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

BCHA and J.P.Morgan will also be running letter writing workshops prior to the event under the theme #LoveFromMe.

They will encourage women to write letters to themselves, offering support and wisdom to empower and free them emotionally from events they have faced during their lives.

Rio Argent, BCHA Senior Practitioner for Bournemouth Women’s Refuge said: “Our International Women’s Day event is about supporting and celebrating women and recognising how far they have come and what they have achieved despite the obstacles they may have faced.

“It will be a place to enjoy stunning poetry and empowering letters, music and yoga and also somewhere for quiet reflection by candlelight to pause and reflect on individuals’ journeys.

“My colleagues from Bournemouth and Poole’s domestic abuse services will also be on hand to offer advice and support to women who are currently experiencing abuse, bias and/or discrimination in any form.

“BCHA operate the refuges locally so we are here to help.

“All sponsorship money raised by our Big Sleep Out will go towards the refuges, including installing a family shepherd’s hut for our Bournemouth refuge customers to use as a creative quiet space.

“We are so grateful to J.P. Morgan which has already donated funds towards this project, as well as supporting the Big Sleep Out event.”

Lottie Forte, Senior Associate in Community Relations at J.P. Morgan, said: “J.P. Morgan is committed to empowering all women, whether that’s our employees or in local communities around the world.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with and support BCHA in delivering a meaningful event within our local community on such an important day.”

Timings for activities during the International Women’s Day event will be confirmed closer to March 8 via social media and the BCHA website.

• justgiving.com/fundraising/bchabigsleepout