Glastonbury 2016 announces first ever women-only zone

Glastonbury has announced that for the first time in history, the music festival will introduce a women's only venue. The zone which will be called The Sisterhood will feature live music, workshops and do-it-yourself classes for female festival attendees.

According to organisers of the festival the new space in the Shangri-la zone will be "an intersectional, queer, trans and disability-inclusive space open to all people who identify as women", which include female performers and even security staff.

"The producers of The Sisterhood believe that women-only spaces are necessary in a world that is still run by and designed to benefit mainly men. Oppression against women continues in various manifestations around the world today, in different cultural contexts," the festival said in a statement.

"In the UK, the gender pay gap in the work place, cuts to domestic violence services and sex worker rights are current talking points that highlight this issue," it added. "Sisterhood seeks to provide a secret space for women to connect, network, share their stories, have fun and learn the best way to support each other in our global struggle to end oppression against women and all marginalised people, while showcasing the best and boldest female talent in the UK and beyond."

The festival which will take place from 24 to 28 June will also organise workshops on intersectionality, diversity and inclusion, live music and DJ sets. A DIY power tools workshop will be hosted by carpenter Rhi Jean.

This year's line-up boasts of a number of female acts including award-winning singer Adele, Ellie Goulding, Cyndi Lauper, Annie Mac, PJ Harvey and Grimes.