Women and Girls strategy to be formulated for NI

Executive Ministers have agreed to pen a Women and Girls strategy for Northern Ireland, in a bid to uproot misogyny, prevent gender violence and keep women and girls in Northern Ireland safe.

The proposals were brought to the table by the Justice Minister, Naomi Long.

The support for it today (Thursday) means all Stormont departments will implement changes to bring about societal change in attitudes and behaviors.

It comes after the murder of two women in Newtownabbey last Friday, which prompted widespread calls for urgent action.

Karen McClean and Stacey Knell were both murdered in their homes in separate knife attacks.

Police believe 26-year-old Kenneth Flanagan murdered his mother Karen and girlfriend Stacey before taking his own life.

The death of Sarah Everard in England recently has also sparked conversations around women's safety.

Backing the strategy to change behavior and systemic issues with regard gender discrimination, the First Minister said the Executive is “committed to meaningfully tackling violence against women and girls”.

Speaking at the weekly Stormont press update in Dungannon, Arlene Foster said: “A cross sectoral task-force will be established, coordinated by our office, the Executive Office, to ensure a strategic approach to tackling the root causes of all forms of such violence and this will have a particular focus on behavioral and attitudinal change.”

Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said: “We’ve all been witness to the appalling abuse of women and girls across our society.

“It devastates lives, and as we have seen far too often, it takes lives, and robs families of mothers, wives and sisters.

“It must stop.”

No time-frame for completing the strategy has been given as yet, but Ms O’Neill said she hopes the decision today sends out a clear and strong message that “vile misogyny will be rooted out”.