"Acta Non Verba, Alis Volat Propiis - "Actions Not Words, She Flies With Her Own Wings"
BUILDING CAPACITY AND RESILIENCE, DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES AND ORGANISING UNIQUE EVENTS
TOWARDS CHANGE-MAKING
PROJECTS
Projects Include:
-
Derby Women's Red Tent Project
-
MAD Project
-
GAINS Project for Girls
-
Just Girls Programme and Youth Club
-
International Day of The Girl
-
HEResies Zine
-
LEAP Project
-
Deeds Not Words Towards Liberation
-
Room Full of Sisters Events
-
Women's History Month
-
Reel Vision Grassroots Film Festival
-
Vox Feminarum: Women's Voices (VoxFemme for short) started as a small informal community organisation in November 2010 in response to a growing realisation that for many women the issues affecting them locally lacked a coherent voice or vehicle and that these issues were often not on any socio-political agenda. The aforementioned status quo is the case not just locally, in Derby and Derbyshire, but also nationally, regionally and internationally. Three years later in 2013 the organisation was formally constituted and we moved from our offices at Derby Women's Centre to The Mandela Centre.
We hope to engage women all over the world in raising the concerns and the issues affecting all our lives and livelihoods. For those who have no voice we hope to say something that in some small way reflects their concerns and becomes a meaningful vehicle in the struggle for equality, in achieving that which would give real meaning to The Covention The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) and any other number of human rights treaties which purport, that all 'human beings' are born free', that all of us, by nature of being human, have rights which are inalienable and indivisible.
In the long established tradition of those who fought for and won the right to vote, for those who fought for and won the right to be educated, for those who fought for and won the right of women to free speech and action on issues from fertility rights to marriage and physical freedom, we continue to fight with and for women for whom these rights are yet to be realised and for those women affected by the kind of discrimination which results in the glass ceiling and objectification. A major concern is also the health and well-being of women and girls.
We also celebrate, through both actions and words, the achievements of previous, current and future generations of women.
ABOUT US
Vox Feminarum: Background
Whats Happening
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Honouring Survivors. Confronting Harm. Building Safety.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a United Nations–designated international campaign. Originating in 1991 from the work of global feminist activists, it is now recognised and championed worldwide. Each year, from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day), people across the world unite to expose gender-based violence, support survivors, and demand accountability from institutions and society.
This campaign is rooted in the voices and courage of survivors.
Violence thrives where silence is enforced, where shame is misused, and where power is unchallenged.
Yet survivors have spoken—again and again—often in the face of disbelief, fear, and danger.
Their courage leads this campaign. Their truth shapes its mandate.
The 16 Days honours women who lived through violence, women who were ignored or disbelieved, women rebuilding their lives, and those whose lives were stolen. Their stories define the urgency of the work and call all of us to action.
A Call to Act – Vox Feminarum: Women’s Voices
Vox Feminarum urges our communities, partners, and allies to take meaningful action:
-
To listen to survivors with respect and without judgement.
-
To challenge the beliefs and systems that enable violence.
-
To build safety, dignity, and justice into everyday life.
-
To ensure that no woman or girl suffers violence in silence.
-
Your voice matters. Your action matters.
Together we uphold the United Nations’ call for 16 Days of Activism. Vox Feminarum stands with survivors, today, tomorrow and always.
16 Days of Activism: Day One, Act One November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS
Centred on Survivors. Rooted in Truth. Held in Safety.
A 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls Event in Recognition of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Join us for a powerful, survivor-centred in-person session created by Vox Feminarum: Women’s Voices.
This workshop creates a safe, supportive space for women whose experiences of harm, fear, or control have been silenced, dismissed, or ignored.
You are not asked to share your story.
Your presence alone is honoured.
Together we will: Reflect on the weight of silence Listen without judgement
Honour survivors’ truths
Create collective artwork Learn how communities can stop silencing women
Build solidarity and strength
This is not therapy, it is community, dignity, and truth-telling on survivors’ terms.
📅 25/11/2025
📍 Purposefully Withheld until booking is confirmed
⏰ 6:30 - 8:30 (dinner is served for a donation)
Free | Confidential | Trauma-informed
Women only.
For survivors, for those still finding their voice, and for anyone who has ever carried a silence alone.
This is where silence breaks, safely, and together.
Email us at vox.feminarum@gmail.com, via text on 07779560284 or by copying and pasting the link below into your browser and add your details there.
https://www.postermywall.com/index.php/e/calendar/a457c0604dd9f2731549f290a107c95a
Get Involved
Provide a general description of the items below and introduce the services you offer. Click on the text box to edit the content.
Women's Safety Charter
Invitation to Participate in the Consultation and Join the Women's Safety Advisory Board
In the wake of the profound impact left by events, notably the tragic murder of Sarah Everard, there was a moment when society's collective voice resounded with a clear demand for change. A demand for an end to the scourge of male violence against women and girls, and a call for greater accountability in safeguarding children exposed to extreme and traumatic content online.
Yet, regrettably, that momentum has dissipated into a lamentable inaction. The urgency of addressing these pressing issues has waned, leaving a void where our shared responsibility once stood. However, we, at Vox Feminarum: Women's Voices, understand that the need for action remains as urgent as ever.
In the face of this challenge, we find ourselves with no alternative but to persist in raising our voices, unwavering in our commitment to drive an agenda of unity. Unity to address these issues and work collectively towards forging a safer Derby—a city where safety, equity, and empowerment are woven into the very fabric of our community.
To this end, we are proud to introduce the Women's Safety Charter, a possible beacon of hope amidst the shadows of inaction around which current and future action can be focused. This charter embodies our shared commitment to tackling the pressing matters at hand and illuminating the path toward a safer and more inclusive Derby.
We firmly believe that every voice has the power to spark change, and we invite you, our community, to lend your voice to this cause. Many of you have already contributed to the charter in a series of 4 consultations organised in 2022. The Women's Safety Charter is a testament to the strength of that collective action, but we are eager to open it up for wider input, to hear your thoughts, your concerns, and your solutions.
By contributing to this charter, you are helping to shape the future of our city, one where women, girls, and children are shielded from harm, where their voices are heard, and where their safety is paramount.
We invite you to join us in this crucial endeavour, to unite in common purpose, and to breathe life into the vision of a safer Derby. Your input is invaluable, and together, we can forge a path toward a brighter, more secure future for all.
Please click on the attachments below to access and comment on our
Women’s Safety Charter and Night time Business Pledge and to volunteer for the Derby Women’s Safety Advisory Board
Click on the link to access the consultation documents below. Email your responses to vox.feminarum@gmail.com
Document 1:Derby Women's Safety Charter for Consultation
Document 2: Derby Women's Safety Charter Nighttime Business Pledge
Workshops and Training
Updated training menu coming soon
Service Name
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Individual Event Information Coming Soon
More Updates Coming Soon
%20(1).jpg)
It’s that time of year again.
The time when society ramps up its pressure on women to shrink, our bodies, our appetites, our presence. If you’ve ever been made to feel like you take up too much space, don’t fit the mould, or are somehow a burden just for existing in your body, you’re not alone.
Whether you’ve been labelled “too big”, “not enough”, “unhealthy”, “different”, or just not what the world expects, these narratives are oppressive, damaging, and untrue. They can push us into cycles of shame, unhealthy decisions, and unrealistic goals that have nothing to do with real wellbeing.
If this resonates with you, if you’re seeking a space to feel seen, heard, and held...BeYOUtiful is for you.
Run by women who’ve lived through it, for women reclaiming their self-worth, BeYOUtiful is a body-positive, soul-nurturing group rooted in compassion, courage, and collective care. It’s a space for any woman struggling with body image, identity, self-acceptance, or simply looking for somewhere to just be.
We honour all bodies, all stories, and all journeys toward healing and wholeness.
To find out more, call VoxFemme on 07779560284 or email us at vox.feminarum@gmail.com.
You are not broken. You are not alone. You are BeYOUtiful.
We’d love to welcome you. xx
CONTACT US
Vox Femnarum: Women's Voices
The Mandela Centre
173 Pear Tree Rd,
Derby DE238NQ
Tel:01332 518618