Over 100 women from communities across Derry's Waterside area attended an International Women's Day event at the Waterside Shared Village. The gathering focused on women's health and links between mental health and local neighbourhoods.

Waterside Together organised the event, which received support from PEACEPLUS through the Special EU Programmes Body and Derry City and Strabane District Council. Additional funding came from the council's Community Support Fund.

Alison Wallace, Strategy Manager for Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership, hosted the event. Speakers included Dr. Niamh Doherty, Research Associate in Population Health at Ulster University's Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Erica Dougherty, a local social worker who shared her experience surviving cancer.

Dr. Doherty discussed research on how living environments affect health and wellbeing, including connections between mental and physical health influenced by neighbourhood regeneration.

Local organisations provided information on services, such as Western Trust, Derry Well Woman, Advice NI, Minding Mum, Talking to our Babies, Pink Ladies, HIVE and Glendermott Medical.

Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris recognised women's roles in peacebuilding, community work and securing funding for cross-community events in Waterside.

Linda Watson, Vice Chair of Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership and Centre Manager for Caw Nelson Drive Action Group, stated that women's health impacts families and communities, with neighbourhood support playing a key role in wellbeing.

Tansy Cowley, Project Coordinator for Waterside Together, noted efforts to connect women across communities through activities promoting health and shared experiences.