Males and females flocked to an event held to mark International Women?s Day yesterday.

The Women?s Resource Centre on Reid Street, Hamilton, opened its doors between noon and 3 p.m. and invited visitors to find out about its work.

More than 50 people took up the offer and spent time talking to staff and volunteers and viewing artwork by local artists Kathy Harriott and Angela Ming-Bean.

There were two special rooms to visit ? one filled with positive affirmations and the other with real-life stories and newspaper cuttings about the abuse of women on the Island.

Counsellor Kennita Perry said: ?The artwork made the place look fantastic but people gravitated to the ?keeping it real? room. I think they were amazed by how much was in there considering this is such a tiny island.?

She said people were invited to take away affirmations and pin up positive thoughts and ideas of their own. ?It was a welcoming place and the idea was to say that everyone has gone through something but we can help one another. People really got it and we could see that it really got people thinking.

?It was such a fantastic event and a lot of people actually had never been here before.?

The centre gives support and legal help to victims of domestic abuse and offers other services to women. To find out more call 295-3882.