Join us for a powerful meetup tackling the everyday violence and how we can finally break the cycle together.

STOP! GRASSROOTS GATHERINGThe Violence We Live With: Breaking the Cycle

Saturday 28 November 2026 | 10.00am–4.30pm

Doors open at 9.30am

MOSAICC, Ground Floor, Stuart House, 15–23 Green Lane, Derby DE1 1RS

Part of Vox Feminarum: Women’s Voices' 16th annual programme of 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Not your usual conference. A day of honest conversations, challenging ideas, creativity, collective resistance, restoration and solidarity.

For 16 years, Vox Feminarum: Women’s Voices has brought women together during the international 16 Days of Activism campaign to challenge violence, confront injustice, break silences and build collective strength.

STOP! is a grassroots gathering that places women's voices, experiences and perspectives at its heart.

We will explore how violence against women and girls has been normalised and sustained across generations, how misogyny intersects with racism and authoritarianism, and how women continue to challenge the systems, attitudes and institutions that perpetuate violence.

But this gathering is not only about recognising what is wrong. It is about finding our voices, challenging what we have been taught to accept, identifying what must change and reclaiming our right to live with dignity, freedom, safety and joy.

We will make space for difficult conversations, creativity, reflection, resistance, rest and renewal.

From silence to language. From words to action. From resistance to joy.

PROGRAMME OUTLINEWorking programme | Some arrangements remain subject to final confirmation

Time Session

9.30–10.00am Doors Open: Arrival, Registration and Refreshments. An opportunity to settle in, enjoy refreshments and meet other participants before the formal programme begins.

10.00–10.15am STOP! Opening and Welcome. Why we are here, why we must continue challenging violence against women and girls, and what we hope to achieve together. Introductions and essential housekeeping.

10.15–11.05am Setting the Context: Understanding Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Short films exploring the history and definitions of gender-based violence, followed by How Did We Get Here? An exploration of the historical, social, political and cultural conditions that have normalised and sustained Gender Based Violence.

11.05–11.15am Refreshment and Comfort Break.

11.15am–12.55pm Behind Closed Doors: Breaking the Silence. Screening of Women Breaking the Silence of Fear (58 minutes), followed by a facilitated discussion exploring women's experiences of violence, fear, silence, survival and resistance. The session will also introduce Share Your Scream! Share Your Enough! / The Sound of STOP!, with 15 minutes dedicated to the project, listening to women's voices and considering the power of speaking out, being heard and collective resistance.

12.55–1.30pm Lunch and Informal Conversations. An opportunity to share food, connect with others, reflect on the morning or simply take some time for yourself

1.30–2.15pm Women Against the Far Right. Exploring the connections between misogyny, racism, authoritarianism, attacks on women's rights and the importance of organised collective resistance. A space to examine how hatred and division are cultivated, how women are affected and how we can challenge these forces together.

2.15–3.15pm Healing Words: From Silence to Language and Action. A participatory poetry, writing and reflection workshop inspired by Audre Lorde's work on silence, survival and the transformative power of words. Women will be invited to explore the impact of harmful words, challenge the meanings imposed upon them and create their own responses of resistance, affirmation and strength. Sharing is entirely voluntary.

3.15–3.25pm Refreshment and Comfort Break.3.25–3.40pm

STOP! From Words to Action: Our Collective Commitments. Bringing together the day's conversations, experiences and ideas to consider what we have heard, what must change and what we can do together. Identifying shared priorities, practical actions and ways to sustain collective resistance and solidarity beyond the gathering

.3.40–4.25pm Reclaiming Our Joy. A 45-minute participatory workshop facilitated by Mehwish, creating space for connection, creativity, collective strength and the importance of joy as part of resistance, restoration and renewal. After a day of confronting difficult realities, we make space to celebrate our humanity, our connections and our capacity for joy.

4.25–4.30pm Closing Words and Farewell. A brief collective farewell, bringing our gathering to a close with solidarity, hope and a renewed sense of possibility.

THROUGHOUT THE DAYThe R&R Station: Rest and Restoration

Because caring for ourselves is part of sustaining our resistance.

A welcoming restorative space where women can step away from discussions, take a break, recharge and enjoy a few moments of care.

The station will offer:

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Description supplied by the event organiser.