Sometimes an event stays with you long after you leave. Hawaa Empower’s International Women’s Day gathering in Bedford on Sunday (8 March) was one of those moments.
What began as an evening celebrating women’s health, confidence, and community quickly became something deeper, a powerful reminder of what happens when people create spaces where everyone truly feels they belong.
Hosted by Bedford-based organisation Hawaa Empower, the gathering brought together more than 40 organisations, community leaders and residents to hear stories about women’s health, confidence and wellbeing.
The theme of the evening was Give to Gain, and by the end of the event, that felt less like a strap line and more like something that we should all aspire to follow.
Director Shapna Khanam, who is a Bedford Independent Everyday Hero, opened the event by reflecting on how the annual International Women’s Day gathering has grown in recent years.
Read: “There were so many heroes in the room that day,” Unsung Hero reflects on…
“This is my third year hosting International Women’s Day, and each year the room grows, not just in numbers, but in strength, purpose and influence,” she said.
Looking around the room, it was clear what she meant. Representatives from health organisations, local government, charities, faith groups and community organisations were all there, alongside residents and volunteers.
The atmosphere was warm, supportive and full of purpose, everyone was here with the aim of making sure our society gains by giving whatever support they can.
Creating opportunity
Hawaa Empower works with underrepresented and marginalised communities across Bedford to help people live healthier, more connected lives through physical activity programmes, wellbeing initiatives, and community workshops.
As Shapna explained, the organisation was born from a simple realisation.
“Hawaa Empower supports underrepresented and marginalised communities to live healthier and more connected lives,” she said. “Often, people don’t see representation. They don’t see access. What we did was create that within the community.”
Much of the work focuses on removing barriers to participation. Sessions are intentionally affordable, sometimes costing as little as £2, making them accessible to those who might otherwise feel excluded from organised activities.
Although Hawaa focuses particularly on marginalised and ethnic minority communities, its programmes are open to everyone.
“Hawaa Empower is open to anyone,” Shapna said. “But we try to reach those who struggle to access opportunities or who face financial barriers.
“And, as someone who believes access to health, sport and opportunity should never depend on confidence, culture or postcode… When equity is built into the design, people show up.
“So the question is no longer whether this model works. The evidence tells us it does. The real question now is how far we are willing to take it.
“Because when you give to work like this, you gain healthier communities. You gain stronger connections. You gain a future where opportunity is shared more fairly.
“That is what Give to Gain means to Hawaa. And on a day like today, it is worth remembering one simple truth: When women move forward, communities move forward with them.”
The impact of that approach was evident in the stories shared during the event.
Stories that stayed with us
Several women spoke about how Hawaa had changed their lives.
Grassroots football coach and sports activist Lipa Nessa spoke about how culturally inclusive spaces can transform participation in sport.
Growing up, she often felt out of place in sporting environments.
“When I stepped into sports spaces outside of school, I was often the only Muslim, the only Asian, and sometimes the only person of colour in the room,” she said.
But discovering Hawaa Empower in Bedford changed that.
Through activities such as badminton, swimming, and community running sessions, she began to build a routine of physical activity that improved her health and confidence.
“When I look around that room,” she said of the walking football sessions she now coaches, “I don’t just see players. I see representation.”
Read: Council launch women-only badminton sessions to help boost participation
Other speakers described similar experiences.
Maryam Yasmin spoke candidly about overcoming anxiety in social situations. “The first hike I came to, I remember telling myself, ‘Just try. Just speak to someone,” she said.
She spoke to the gathered guests about how the experience felt awkward and isolating. But small moments of kindness from others helped her stay.
“What this space gave me wasn’t just physical activity,” she said. “It gave me the chance to practise being brave.”
This young woman had gone from someone who struggled to say “hello” to someone who was now speaking to a whole crowd, all thanks to the activities organised by Hawaa Empower.
Eighteen-year-old sports leader Amina Azad described how culturally aware, women-led environments helped her reconnect with sport and improve her mental wellbeing.
“Being active in a female-only space felt like relief,” she said. “No boys watching. No comments. No explaining myself. Just movement.”
Shared health challenges
Alongside the personal stories, several guest speakers reinforced the wider message about health, wellbeing and community support.
Clare Fitzboydon, Director of Be Active Bedfordshire and Dr Samila Asad, known as The Female Health Doctor, spoke about the importance of accessible support networks and preventative health.
Although their work spans different areas of healthcare and community services, a common theme runs through their messages.
The pathways to better physical and mental health are often remarkably similar across different communities: connection, movement, support and safe spaces where people feel able to participate.
Listening to them speak made one point very clear. While some communities continue to struggle with access to sport and social activity than others, there will always be health inequality.
Sarah Gates, Bereavement Specialist Midwife at Bedford Hospital, also spoke about grief and the current appeal to improve the maternity bereavement room at Bedford Hospital, an appeal that has a personal connection to many.
Sarah spoke of the role she and others at Bedford Hospital play in providing compassionate bereavement care to families following the loss of a baby.
“Whilst we cannot take away the pain and suffering a family is going through,” she said, “We are in a position to positively change their experience.”
Celebrating progress
The afternoon also included several awards recognising women who have participated in Hawaa Empower activities and embraced the opportunities the organisation has created.
The Badminton Achievement Award was presented to Selina Akhtar Choudhury, recognising someone who had stepped outside her comfort zone to try something new and whose dedication and progress had inspired others within the Hawaa community.
The Running Achievement Award went to Fahima Akther, a devoted carer who began running through Hawaa’s Sunday 5K sessions and now takes part in Parkrun every week. Through regular physical activity, organisers said she had transformed her health.
And, the Community Inspiration Award was presented to Abida Bano, recognised for her enthusiasm, encouragement and the positivity she brings to the group.
The awards were a reminder that the impact of initiatives like Hawaa Empower is measured in the individual journeys of the women who take part.
A moment of reflection
For Paul, one moment during the afternoon stood out.
At one point, Shapna asked the audience to think back to a time when we had walked into a room and felt like we did not belong.
I paused. I genuinely struggled to think of such a moment.
There have certainly been times in my life when I have felt nervous, unsure or anxious walking into a new place. But could I honestly say I had ever felt that I did not belong somewhere?
I’ve always been aware of my own privilege, but standing in a room filled with men and women of all faiths and none really does make it impossible to avoid.
It was a moment that highlighted something many of the women speaking that afternoon had experienced far more often, and while I was so proud to see a fellow Bedfordian doing something to make the world more inclusive, I was sad she even has to.
Seeing privilege clearly
For Mandy, the stories shared during the event prompted a similar reflection.
Listening to their experiences made me realise just how privileged I am as a white woman.
I grew up thriving in sport, with doors already open for me. I never had to question whether I was welcome or whether the space was designed with me in mind.
I cannot imagine facing the barriers that many Muslim women still encounter today, and that is exactly why the work of Hawaa is so important.
One of the things that struck both of us during the afternoon was the warmth of the event itself.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with kindness and generosity.
We decided to fast for the day so we could experience iftar in the same way as many of the attendees. Sharing that meal together, prepared with such care, felt very special.
It offered a small but meaningful glimpse into a tradition that brings communities together at the end of each day during Ramadan.
We chatted with the Muslim women, men, and children at our table about the sports we all enjoy and the hometown we share, laughing together at jokes as we passed bowls of delicious food to each other.
Allyship
Another detail that stood out was the presence of men at the event.
International Women’s Day events are often seen as spaces primarily for women, but Hawaa had deliberately invited men to take part in the conversation.
Addressing the guests, Shapna highlighted this as a positive. Real progress happens when everyone is involved, and including men showed a willingness to build understanding across communities.
Read: Bedford organisations work together to offer ‘Men Get Active’ community programme
“It is also wonderful to see men in the room this year,” she said. “We call that progress when International Women’s Day becomes a conversation everyone feels part of. Thank you for standing with us.”
The significance of Hawaa Empower’s work was summed up by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, who also spoke at the event, highlighting that she was only the second woman to hold the title that has been in place for 500 years.
Writing afterwards in a letter to Shapna, she said: ‘It is clear that Hawaa Empower is going from strength to strength, supporting women to achieve their full potential and helping them to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.
‘Hawaa Empower are making a very real difference within our local community…’
That sentiment felt entirely justified by the time the evening drew to a close.
The stories shared were not about grand gestures or sweeping policy changes. They were about something much simpler but perhaps more powerful, creating spaces where people feel welcome, valued and able to take part.
But we do hope they lead to bigger changes in how communities are represented and considered in all aspects of life, so that they, too, one day, can enjoy the same standard services as many and not have to ask, “What about us?”
Leaving the event, one thought stayed with us. The women speaking that afternoon were not asking for special treatment.
They were just asking for spaces where they could participate, feel safe and feel welcome. Hawaa Empower is proving that when those spaces exist, confidence grows, health improves, and communities become stronger.
If Bedford truly wants to be the inclusive town many of us believe it is or want it to be, this is exactly the kind of work we should be championing.
