North Belfast Youth Launch Jenga Game to Empower Girls & Tackle Violence

Exciting news from the heart of North Belfast! Young women from RCITY Belfast, based right here in the Spectrum Centre, have developed a groundbreaking interactive game aimed at tackling violence against women and girls, one block at a time. Named 'SHE: Building and Leading', this Jenga-style puzzle is more than just a game; it's a powerful tool created by our local youth for our community.

This fantastic initiative was made possible through funding from ’s Local Change Fund. It stands as one of 50 community-led projects across Belfast benefiting from almost £600,000 in grants, all working towards ending violence against women and girls as part of the Northern Ireland Executive’s seven-year Strategic Framework. It’s a testament to how local action can contribute to city-wide change.

The 'SHE: Building and Leading' game is completely free for youth and community groups to use. It delves into crucial topics such as consent, health and wellbeing, and steps towards feminism. Each puzzle piece prompts participants to answer a question or provides accessible information, encouraging young women to share their experiences and learn about available local support. The goal is to deepen understanding of why violence occurs and empower everyone to take positive steps towards making women and girls feel, and truly be, safe everywhere.

Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, has warmly commended the project. "This is a truly impressive piece of work by a strong group of young female leaders – our SHE Ambassadors," she stated. "They’ve drawn on their own experiences as young women today to create a resource that will have a direct and positive impact on themselves and their peers. This game provides practical support, turning potentially uncomfortable conversations into fun and valuable learning for young people."

Beyond the game, the SHE Ambassadors have been actively involved in the SHE SAFE (Safety Assured for Everyone) programme. This year-long course supports 13 to 16-year-old girls in navigating safety in all aspects of life, from online interactions and self-defence to emotional wellbeing and career security. Many topics from the course are woven into the game, helping participants gain confidence to facilitate these vital discussions with their peers. Tori Haveron, Youth Development Co-ordinator with RCITY Youth, shared, "As youth workers, we understand that the most important conversations, like those about equality, safety, and identity, are often the hardest. Creating engaging and accessible resources like SHE: Building and Leading is incredibly important. We are immensely proud of this work and the dedication of our SHE Ambassadors, who are truly paving the way for future leaders."

The game’s development was informed by vital research into the lived experiences of young women in Northern Ireland. Dr Siobhán McAlister from Queen’s University Belfast and Dr Gail Neill from Ulster University contributed significantly. Dr McAlister explained, "Our research highlighted the high levels of gender-based violence girls and young women face daily, often seeing it as 'just what happens.' Working with the SHE Ambassadors, we developed resources to challenge this normalisation and encourage wider conversations."

To ensure the game can be effectively used, the SHE Ambassadors have collaborated with both universities to develop supporting guidance for youth leaders. Dr Neill added, "Grounded in real-life experiences, the game and its guidance empower youth workers to confidently use this resource in safe and supportive ways, fostering discussions that raise awareness and help young people recognise and challenge everyday gender-based harms."

This game is just one part of ’s broader commitment to delivering the NI Executive Strategy. Since March 2024, hundreds have participated in city-wide events, including free training for community groups, targeted activities with local women’s groups, and dedicated discussions on topics like bystander intervention and safer public spaces. The Council also manages the Regional Change Fund, supporting organisations across Northern Ireland with £1.2 million for society-wide change.