Council welcomes new multi-year initiative focusing on ending violence against women and girls

21st January 2025

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has received £135,000 from the Executive Office to deliver a programme between January 2025 and March 2026 aimed at addressing violence against women and girls.

In partnership with local Women’s Aid organisations, a series of events will be delivered in the coming months to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and girls. This work will precede the launch of a ‘Challenge Fund’ later this spring, which will support grassroots groups and organisations in preparing to secure funding for local initiatives addressing this issue.

The funding has been received from the Executive Office as part of the implementation of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategic Framework, launched in September 2024. The strategy adopts a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to addressing the issue, which affects the lives of far too many women and girls. The framework focuses on prevention, recognising the importance of addressing the root causes of violence, abuse, and harm to stop it before it starts.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry commented,
‘’Violence against women and girls is a deeply rooted issue in our society, and it is unacceptable that so many lives are affected by it. This funding is not just welcome; it is essential, and it serves as a call-to-action for all of us to take responsibility – individually and collectively – and to confront and challenge the attitudes and behaviours that allow this violence to persist. The council is committed to ensuring that real, tangible change comes from this programme.’

Further details on the programme will be available in the coming weeks, for further information contact communitysupport@fermanaghomagh.com.