Islington welcomes a Stand Up 4 Women charity event on International Women’s Day to raise awareness for domestic violence.

The event, organised by comedian, Sikisa Bostwick-Barnes and hosted by Thanyia Moore, will feature six all female comedians standing up for an important cause.

The funds from the event will go to Solace Women’s Aid charity. Their work involves bringing an end to the harm caused by domestic and sexual violence.

Sikisa Bostwick-Barnes explains; “The work Solace does is extremely important. Also it is important that women are highlighted to show strength.”

 

According to The Crime Survey for England and Wales, an estimated 4.3 million women have experienced some form of domestic abuse since age 16. The event aims to raise awareness of such facts.

The comedy gig comes at an important time for domestic violence legislation. Tougher sentencing regulations on domestic abuse offenders are being introduced in May this year. Offenders will be more likely to face prison for their actions. It’s a step forward for charities like this one.

 

“I feel really strongly about Solace Woman’s Aid because it is an incredibly awful situation to be in and one that requires an incredible amount of strength,” says Esther Manito, So You Think You’re Funny Finalist featuring in the show. “It just needs as much support as possible and as much recognition as possible.”

 

The organisers not only seek to raise awareness for women who suffer domestic violence, but to do so by empowering women in comedy – an industry vastly dominated by men. It’s an event by women for women.

​

​

​

​
 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This event is to demonstrate that there is market and thirst for women in comedy,” says Chloe Pett, host of Premmy’s Podcast. “Events like this are a move towards a better representation all round. An all female space is so important in itself.”

 

The event starts at 8pm on March 8th and is starring Ninja Benjamin as headliner, BBC New Comedy Award winner Heidi Regan, So You Think You’re Funny 2017 finalist Esther Manito, host of the Premmy’s Podcast Chloe Petts, Funny Women Awards 2013 finalist Bisha K Ali.

 

Manito says it will be an evening of various different acts: “On the night there will be a real variety. The comedians are all great but incredibly different. There are some comedians who are storytellers and others who are a lot more conversational. It’s going to be real high-energy fun.”