There have been further calls for the Executive to implement its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and Action Plan as a matter of urgency.
Published last summer, it was co-designed with more than 50 partners representing different organisations and perspectives from across government, society, community and voluntary and other sectors.
Deputy Chair of the Executive Office Committee, Connie Egan said there was an urgent need to approve and resource the strategy.
Echoing calls from Marie Brown, director of Foyle Women’s Aid, and Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin, Ms Egan said a strategy to “tackle the normalised and unacceptable violence against women and girls” in the north was essential.
The North Down Alliance MLA observed the north was the only part of Britain and Ireland “without an approved action plan to tackle” violence against women and girls.
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She added: “The draft EVAWG is ready to deliver the change we need. I wrote to the first and deputy first minister to express my explicit disappointment at our lack of progress and reiterate the absolute necessity for the Executive to allocate the necessary state funding and resourcing.
“A recent Ulster University report found that 98% of women in Northern Ireland have experienced at least one form of violence or abuse in their lifetime.
“There has been an action plan waiting on the first minister and deputy first minister’s desks since day one of the Assembly’s return. Recess is coming to an end and we cannot afford more delays.”
