North Belfast United: Tackling Violence Against Women & Girls This March

This March, communities across North Belfast and the wider city are coming together for a crucial series of events and initiatives, all dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. Building on ongoing efforts, these programmes aim to raise awareness, provide support, and encourage everyone to play a part in creating a safer environment.

A key highlight for our local community is the 'One Step Louder' family fun day at Girdwood Community Hub this Sunday, March 8th. Coinciding with International Women's Day, this event promises a day of activities alongside essential information stalls about local services designed to support women and families. Additionally, the Walkway Community Centre will host the second 'Her Safety, Our Responsibility' lunchtime panel discussion on Friday, March 27th, offering another opportunity for vital conversations and shared learning.

Beyond these local events, a wide array of activities are scheduled across Belfast. This includes targeted sessions with trainees in the hairdressing and beauty industry on Monday, March 9th, Tuesday, March 10th, and Thursday, March 12th, focusing on their role in this important work. Following the success of last year's 'It's a Team Effort' conference, local sports clubs are invited to register for a free follow-up workshop on Tuesday, March 24th, at Olympia Leisure Centre. This session will equip clubs with the skills to become safeguarding champions for all players, both female and male.

The city's vibrant culture and arts sector, alongside those involved in designing new public and outdoor spaces, will also participate in dedicated events on Wednesday, March 11th, Friday, March 27th, and Tuesday, March 31st, respectively, exploring how these industries can better support women and girls. An important discussion will also take place at The MAC on Tuesday, March 31st, bringing together Queen's University and other community partners. This event will focus on engaging men and boys in tackling the perceptions and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and girls, fostering a more inclusive approach to change.

Supporting these initiatives, substantial funding has been allocated, with a further £340,000 distributed among 23 community projects. This brings the total to 50 local initiatives backed by the Local Change Fund, encompassing everything from new theatre productions and workshops for teenagers to training for LGBTQIA+ and minority ethnic communities, as well as programmes with sports organisations, schools, and young children. For local community groups keen to make a difference, free training is available. These sessions help organisations recognise the signs of domestic abuse and coercive control, empowering them with the confidence and tools to provide crucial support to those in need.

As a community, we are proud to be part of this vital work, using our networks to support organisations in developing solutions that truly meet the needs of our local communities. This marks the second year of delivering such a comprehensive programme, and it's fantastic to see such a diverse range of activities engaging the public, showcasing the incredible work already underway, and encouraging us all to speak up. Last year, over 90% of attendees reported feeling more confident in supporting others after participating. We urge everyone to seize this opportunity to join an event, get involved, and use their voice to champion change for every individual in our city.

For comprehensive details on all upcoming events, workshops, and training opportunities, please visit www./endviolence.