GUESTS from Harrow’s twin town of Douai were entertained by Punjabi folk dancing, poetry and choir-singing at an event held yesterday for International Women’s Day.

Harrow Women’s Refuge hosted the event with a special lunch at their centre in Sheepcote Road, with 15 women from the twin town of Douai.

The guests were invited, as well as representatives from other voluntary organisations, by the Mayor of Harrow and were entertained by a choir from St Teresa's Roman Catholic First and Middle School, in Long Elmes, Harrow.

Harrow Women’s Centre was set up in 1992 and provides support services and counselling seven days a week for women suffering domestic violence.

Carmel Miedziolka, who helped organise the day, said: “We exchanged gifts, ideas and thoughts with the women from Douai.

“St Teresa’s performed a few songs for them and everyone enjoyed the day. It was good for us to share our different practices.

"The Douai women have a similar centre where they are from and we are both working towards the same goals."

Jan Irwin, chair of the Harrow Domestic and Sexual Abuse Forum, said: "Celebrating International Women's Day every year in Harrow gives us a chance to reflect on how far women in Britain have come, especially in the last 100 years, but it also reminds us of how far we still have to go, to achieve true equality.

“In the current climate of cuts to public services women are disproportionally affected, particularly those experiencing domestic and sexual abuse, we must be careful not to let the progress made slip backwards."