Is 2025 the Most Dangerous Time to be a Woman or Girl?

A panel event opening the festival asking the question –  is 2025 the most dangerous time to be a woman? In light of the last couple of years we welcome some incredible people onto the stage to share thoughts and offer solidarity. We want you leaving this event feeling empowered to enjoy the rest of the festival. 

This panel features:

Chantelle Lunt: Chantelle Lunt is a writer, lecturer, PhD researcher, and activist. She has a professional background in policing and children’s social care, her PhD research explores the further educational journeys of care-experienced individuals. As the Chair of Merseyside Alliance for Racial Equality CIC (MARE), she leads grassroots, community-driven education initiatives that promote racial equality across Merseyside.  Chantelle is also Halewood’s Deputy Mayor and a Knowsley Borough Councillor, making history as the first Black woman elected to these positions. With a strong commitment to social justice, Chantelle’s work spans political, academic, and activist spaces, advocating for meaningful change in education, policing, and racial equality. 

Claire Beerjeraz (They/She): A freelance writer, Visual artist, workshop facilitator, performer and creative therapist. Their work focuses on the intersections of their own identity and issues placed within our society, combing creativity with activism. They strives to use their creative mediums for positive change, discourse, and healing.

Jane Barrie: Writer and Director, The Totally Visible Theatre Company  

Kirsty Williams: Training and Community Manager at Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire & Merseyside
Kirsty has been working for RASASC for 8 years, but working specifically with survivors of sexual violence for over 10 years.  She is incredibly passionate about ensuring survivors have a voice and are heard, helping to break unhelpful myths and stereotypes that can make speaking out about sexual abuse even more difficult.

Storyhouse Changemakers: Amy Laird, Tayla Aspden, Elena-Lida Orfanidou and Molly Slater.

Tayla Aspden is a 6th Form student at Queen’s Park High School and has been a key volunteer at the school’s debate club, advocating for domestic violence and other issues with help from CSASS. As a ‘pub kid’ living within the city centre walls, Tayla is passionate about street violence, night time safety and the Ask for Angela Campaign.

Amy Laird is a student at Deeside Sixth Form, Coleg Cambria and is passionate about the Gender Apartaide in Afganistan, Health inequalities and Period Poverty.

Elena Leda Orfanidou is a former student at Cheshire College South & West and is currently working at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre. Elena is starting her degree in Glasgow this year.

Molly Salter is a Climate Change Project Assistant and a student on the Low Carbon Energy Efficiency degree apprenticeship at Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Chaired by Storyhouse Creative Director, Suzie Henderson