GRASS roots and glass ceilings will be the theme for this year’s Oxford International Women’s Festival.

The dates for this year’s festival, the 21st to be held in the city, have been set and different events celebrating women in all walks of life are planned.

Each year the festival attracts up to 10,000 people, and co-ordinator Christine Eady, who organises the event with Anne Mobbs, said: “We started off with the theme of grass roots and glass ceilings and some of the events are specifically on that theme.

“We were thinking in particular about equal pay and equal conditions, which is quite topical at the moment.”

The festival launch is at the Jam Factory, Hollybush Row, on Sunday, February 28, and runs until Sunday, March 14.

So far, 32 different events have been planned, from art exhibitions to conferences, and among them will be an event on Burmese culture and politics, led by Sandy Thin Thin Oo Mar, who is from Burma but lives in Oxford.

Ms Eady said: “It is exciting and wonderful to be doing something with the Burmese community and the woman who leads that is so fantastic.

“You start working with fresh people every year.”

Two dance activities are planned, a Latin American evening and a Bengali diversity and rhythm session.

Film activities, including OVFM’s Reel Women event, are planned, along with walks, talks, and music.

Ms Eady said: “Doing the community things every year is very satisfying.

“We have got several young people’s groups involved this year, which we are looking forward to. The festival is a celebration but it is also about encouraging young people, particularly young women, to learn about self-value and achievement, both celebrating what they have achieved but also looking forward to what they can do.”

It is hoped a bust of scientist Dorothy Hodgkin will be unveiled at the Pitt Rivers Museum as part of the festival.

This year also marks the anniversary of the first women’s liberation conference, held at Ruskin College 40 years ago.

To mark the anniversary, the festival will include a two-day conference recalling those beginnings and what has been achieved since.

The festival will finish with a family walk on Mother’s Day, Sunday, March 14, with an eight-mile and a two-mile option.

A leaflet will be published at the start of February and festival information is available at oxfordwomen.co.uk fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk