Look back : 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Poetry vs Misogyny Festival 2024

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence organised by Dr Kim Moore and The Manchester Writing School supported by AHEAD

25 November – 10 December 2024

Manchester Poetry Library and the Lowry Building at Manchester Metropolitan University

Speakers: Dr Kim Moore, Laura Bates, Clare Shaw, Dr Malika Booker, Roma Havers, Catherine Davies. Dr Frazer Heritage, Caroline Stancer, Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa, Charlotte Shevchenko Knight, Naomi Morris, Char Heather, Dr Derek Bousfield, Professor Helen Mort, Anjum Malik, Prof Khatidja Chantler, Joelle Taylor, Caroline Stancer, Nat Raha, Roma Havers, Dr Katherine Angel, and Professor Helen Mort

Event Overview

16-Days of Activism was an international campaign running from 25 November to 10 December, dedicated to raising awareness and combating gender-based violence.

In 2024, Manchester Met hosted a series of events featuring poets, activists, and academics to explore how poetry and the arts can respond to gender inequality and bring about social change

Throughout the 16 days, the university ran readings, panel discussions and writing workshops, including events with Everyday Sexism founder Laura Bates, author and psychoanalyst Katherine Angel, and poet and playwright Joelle Taylor.

From powerful spoken-word performances to in-depth conversations, the festival amplified voices fighting against gender-based violence and highlighted the critical role of creativity in activism.

Festival Director, Dr Kim Moore, said, “We have a stunning programme of events featuring writers who believe in the power of poetry and language to make transformational social change.” With hopes that the campaign will encourage “an ongoing conversation in society that recognises gender-based violence as a national emergency.”

Feedback & Impact

“Talking and hosting events like this is a GAMECHANGER . It lets people know they are not alone- and that we shouldn’t tolerate DV in any circumstances . It gathers empathy . A true safe space.”

16 Days Event Feedback Response

Legacy

The event was supported by Publishing students and covered by student journalists from aAH! the Arts and Humanities magazine and featured online.

Follow up events are planned including a screening of the short film made about the event, and another film introduced by Dr Becky Clarke co-founder of the Manchester Women’s Justice Collective and member of the research group The Justice Project: Sites of Resistance who will present ‘On Me’ by Caroline Lamb.

The films will be shown in SODA cinema on Tuesday 25th November, marking the start of 16 Days of Activism 2025.

An Impact Case Study, Poetry and Misogyny, is being developed as part of Manchester Metropolitan University submission for REF 2029.

“This event was very inspiring. Great to be surrounded by women that speak of this issue so well and passionately.”

“Poetry is definitely a strong and useful tool to make a change and take a stance”

“It’s been a fantastic line up of 16 events, and we’re all very happy and elated about how brilliantly they have been.” – Frazer Heritage