ORGANISERS of the 22nd Oxford International Women’s Festival have defied the cuts by raising the money to keep the event alive.

They organised events including street collections, discos and poetry readings, and invited private donations to ensure the programme was launched yesterday.

The two-week festival includes exhibitions, theatre, walks, discussions and singing and dance functions.

It had been staged in recent years with the help of Oxford City Council and Lottery cash. The festival was saved from closure in 2008 after the Big Lottery Fund, other organisations and individuals chipped in with thousands of pounds in funding.

Organiser Debbie Hollings-worth said: “We have had to do a lot more fundraising than ever before over the past year.

“It is totally understandable, but it has definitely been more difficult to get the festival started.

“In some sense, it has actually made the festival an all-year-round event, as people have seen us out and about all year.

“Plus it’s meant we have some great new staff on board.”

The theme of this year’s festival is Women and Wellbeing and new additions include a group cycle event.

Ms Hollingsworth said: “Many women find it daunting to go on a bike ride by themselves, so we have some young riders who will be organising group rides for people of all abilities.”

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the International Women’s Day on March 8.

This will be marked with an event at Oxford Town Hall between 3pm and 6pm, featuring people and organisations from therapists to campaign groups and charities.

Stories of “inspirational women” will also be told under the Bridge of Sighs at noon by the Oxford student branch of Women for Women International.

Group co-president Katie Johnston, said: “We are hoping that lots of people, women, men and children, will take half an hour out of their day to reflect on the strength and selflessness women can and do contribute to their communities, and to celebrate women who inspire them, in their lives and around the globe.”

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk The festival runs until Sunday, March 13. For a full list of events, visit oxford women.co.uk