Poetry, prose and live music in Perth to mark the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Free entry.

25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day)and the start of the UN's 16 Days of Activism. Soroptimist International Perth (https://sigbi.org/perth/) invites you to mark this with us through an evening of poetry, prose and live music.

Acclaimed novelist Ajay Close will read from her acclaimed Scottish Fiction Book of the Year 2025 novel, What Doesn't Kill Us (https://saraband.net/sb-title/what-doesnt-kill-us/), about the Yorkshire Ripper of the 1970s, and Scots-Language poet of the year Jim Mackintosh will perform pieces that speak to our theme. Together, their words lead us from the hard truths of violence against women towards strength, resistance and hope: breaking the silence to end the violence. Musician Liv Dawn, presented by Live Music Now Scotland (https://livemusicnow.scot), opens, frames and closes the evening with live music.

The evening ends with a shared moment of reflection. During the interval, you are invited to add a word, a line, or a pledge to our anonymous reflection wall. Nobody will be put on the spot.

Entry is free, and donations are warmly welcomed. No More is part of the global anti-consumerist Fair Saturday movement (https://standrews.fairsaturday.org), an antidote to Black Friday, and is presented in partnership with Live Music Now Scotland.

Tickets

Free, with donations welcome.

Refreshments

Wine, apple juice and shortbread will be served at the interval only. All proceeds support the evening.

Getting there and accessibility

The main entrance is through the gates at 14 Blackfriars Street, Perth PH1 5NS.

Guests with mobility needs should contact us in advance: with prior arrangement they can use the front door at 5 Atholl Crescent, Perth PH1 5NG. There is no step-free access, but this entrance has only three steps. If you need access assistance, please contact us before the event and we will be happy to assist: perthsoroptimist@gmail.com

Content note

This evening touches on violence against women. Information on support from Women's Aid, (https://pkvawp.org/about-us/perthshire-womens-aid/) RASAC (https://www.rasacpk.org.uk) and other partners will be available on the night. Please feel free to step out at any time to best take care of yourself.

Organiser

Soroptimist International Perth is part of a global volunteer movement working to transform the lives of women and girls. You can read more on our website (https://sigbi.org/perth/), facebook (https://facebook.com/sigbiperth), or instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soroptimistsperthuk/).

Description supplied by the event organiser.