Ending all forms of violence, abuse, and harm against women and girls is one of the most pressing challenges facing our society today.
The draft Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) addresses the whole range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender inequality.
Violence, abuse and harm against women and girls happens everywhere, every day and impact how women and girls live, work, and socialise.
In 2021, the Northern Ireland Executive directed that a Strategy to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) be developed, and the Executive Office is leading on this whole of government, whole of society approach.
Violence, abuse and harm against women and girls cuts across all generations, all communities, and all spheres of our society. It exists everywhere, in our schools, universities, workplaces, sports clubs, faith communities, homes and families, online communities, and in our public spaces.
Throughout our communities there is a growing awareness and a sense of urgency that more needs to be done.
By working together, we can build a society wide movement for prevention, to bring about the change that is needed to end violence against women and girls.
The draft Strategic Framework has been co-designed with over 50 partners representing different organisations and perspectives from across government, society, community and voluntary and other sectors, including people with lived experience.
This sets the agenda for all of government and society to work together to end violence against women and girls.
Click on the image on the right to view the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework.
An easy read version is available via the link below:
A series of key foundational actions have been developed in the co-design group, they will mark the start of a seven-year road map to bring about meaningful change and effective delivery of these actions.
The Action Plan sets out a foundation of activity to get things started. In a year where budgets are challenging for everyone we will to do as much as possible to get this work underway.
Equality Impact Assessments
You can view the Equality Impact Assessment and other impact assessment links here:
A public consultation on our Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls and foundational Action Plan took place between 4 July 2023 to 3 October 2023. The purpose of this consultation was to seek views on the new Strategic Framework and foundational Action Plan.
We are currently analysing responses to the public consultation and intend to publish a summary report in due course.
This draft Strategic Framework is a long-term plan to tackle this challenging and deep-rooted issue facing our society today.
We have worked with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives in a co-design process to develop this Strategic Framework and Action Plan.
Proposals for the EVAWG Strategic Framework and foundational Action Plan are subject to the views of the Executive who will be responsible for final approval.
Research Publications
During 2022, two reports were commissioned by the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Directorate in The Executive Office (TEO), which focused on women and girls experience of violence across Northern Ireland. Please find both research reports posted below.
‘It’s Just What Happens’ Girls and Young Women’s Views and Experiences of Violence in Northern Ireland
Research led by Dr Siobhan McAlister Prof. Dirk Schubotz and Dr Michelle Templeton from Queen’s University Belfast, and Dr Gail Neill Ulster University
Every Voice Matters! Violence Against Women in Northern Ireland
Research led by Dr Susan Lagdon, Prof. Dr Marcin Owczarek, Dr Ngozi Anyadike-Danes and Prof. Mark Shevlin, Ulster University, and Dr Claire McCartan and Julie-Ann Jordan from the IMPACT Research Centre.
The Bystander Approach conference took place on Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at Parliament Buildings in the Stormont Estate. The Hybrid event was well attended with nearly 300 people both in person and online.
