Creative workshops, music, talks on gender equality and inspirational women from history. It’s all part of Women of the World, at Perth Theatre, September 29-30

Gender politics will be top of the agenda in Perth this weekend.

Since first appearing in London in 2010, the celebratory Women of the World Festival has landed in various English cities as well as Cardiff and Derry, and also takes place in as farflung locations as Karachi, Baltimore, Beijing, Melbourne and Rio.

Taking in the arts, debates and mentoring sessions with social inclusion from a female perspective the common theme, WOW enjoyed its Perth debut last year and now returns as the global movement’s sole Scottish platform.

This weekend’s activities are preluded today by a series of creative workshops and interactive talks for secondary pupils on gender equality and inspirational women from history.

Tomorrow’s opening day highlights include a performance of the play The Vagina Monologues, a discussion on men and feminism featuring Rizzle Kicks star Jordan Stephens and comedy from Edinburgh Fringe regular Elaine Miller, plus activist art sessions and themed conversation cafes focusing on body image in literature, women in the criminal justice system, breastfeeding and support for mothers.

Along with free weekend-long pop-up music and dance performances and a market, Sunday boasts workshops with African-Caribbean dance collective Project X and puppeteer Yamina Peerzada, speed mentoring, a menopause cafe and a closing acoustic gig from songsmith Horse McDonald.

Festival programmer Louise Brodie says the inter-generational extravaganza’s appeal crosses class,