Second EVAWG Delivery Plan launched in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have reaffirmed the Executive's commitment to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls as they launched the second EVAWG Delivery Plan.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026-2028 Delivery Plan, which was attended by those with lived experience as well as key stakeholders from across Government, partner organisations and wider society, the First Minister and deputy First Minister said they remain committed to addressing this issue.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: “We have launched the second Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan, and it marks an important next step in how we strengthen our collective response to this issue.

“We know violence against women and girls is one of the most serious challenges facing our society, and in the most tragic cases it has taken lives and left families grieving for daughters, mothers, sisters and friends.

“This must stop, and while it will not be solved overnight, we also know it is not inevitable. Since we launched our Strategic Framework in 2024, we have seen greater awareness and more openness, and a growing recognition that this is something we can change together. This Plan builds on that progress and on the work already underway, but it also reinforces the need for all of us across government, communities and wider society to play our part in driving prevention, changing attitudes, and ensuring women and girls can live safely wherever they are.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly said: “When we took up office, we said ending violence against women and girls was a priority and this launch reflects our continued commitment to tackling this important issue.

“Thirty women have been killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. They were daughters, sisters, aunts, friends and grandmothers and we owe it to them to do everything we can to bring this unacceptable level of violence to an end.

“Tackling the underlying causes of violence, abuse and harm towards women and girls and stopping it before it starts is vital which is why prevention is key.

“The second Delivery Plan builds on the good work already being done and continues with the collaborative approach to tackle this extremely complex problem. It is vital we all continue to work together and we would encourage everyone to play their part to help make that transformative change we need to ensure women and girls across Northern Ireland can feel safe and be safe.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Directorate in The Executive Office is responsible for the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls and associated Delivery Plans. Ending Violence Against Women and Girls | The Executive Office
2. Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is a Programme for Government (PfG) priority.
3. The EVAWG vision is of ‘A changed society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence, abuse and harm - including the attitudes, systems and structural inequalities that cause them'.
4. The new Delivery Plan (2026 to 2028) will support the implementation of the EVAWG Strategic Framework 2024-2031 and will build on momentum created by the first plan (2024 to 2026), ensuring continuity and consolidation of good practice, and will allow for the scaling of initiatives that are proving effective.