Everyday Sexism founder kicks off 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
The founder of the Everyday Sexism Project has opened a 16-day festival at Manchester Met examining how poetry and language can combat gender inequality and create positive social change.
Feminist writer Laura Bates joined award-winning poet and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing Dr Kim Moore for an evening of poetry and discussion on how we can move through a damaged patriarchal society and resist gender-based injustice.
Bates was the driving force behind Everyday Sexism Project, an online movement document sexism around the world
Speaking on the United Nation’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women (25th November), Bates and Dr Moore opened 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a festival of daily events hosted at the University including readings, panel discussions and writing workshops from poets, activists and academics.
Investigating how poetry and the arts can inspire, tackle inequalities and lead to transformational change, the festival concludes on 10th December, the UN’s Human Rights Day. Throughout the 16 days, powerful spoken word performances and in-depth conversations will take place including author and psychoanalyst Katherine Angel, poet and playwright Joelle Taylor and Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa, who blends poetry and dance.
The festival will also involve leading Manchester Met researchers and will take place at the University’s Manchester Poetry Library and its Lowry Building, examining thought-provoking topics including the language of gaslighting, performances of masculinity, and domestic abuse.
Festival Director Dr Kim Moore said: “Our stunning programme of events features writers who believe in the power of poetry and language to make transformational social change. Some of the topics we will be exploring include everyday sexism and the impact of domestic violence, as well as issues around consent and gaslighting.
“We hope to become part of an ongoing conversation in society that recognises gender-based violence as a national emergency.”
Spearheaded by the UN, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is an annual international campaign, created in response to increasing cases of violence against women and girls. On average in the UK, a woman is killed by a man every three days.
Professor of Contemporary Writing Andrew McMillan added: “We are delighted to be hosting this unique and much-needed festival which brings together thinkers, writers and communities to do what we all know poetry can – validate experience, create new methods of connection, and articulate in new ways experiences which are sadly common to so many.”
The festival coincides with Manchester Met’s 200-year anniversary, which this month focuses on its work tackling inequalities, such as informing domestic abuse policy and improving the wellbeing of women in the workplace.
To find out more about the University’s 16 Days of Activism Festival and book onto the events, go to https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/detail/16-days-activism-against-gender-based-violence
