Meet the teenagers calling for action on violence against women and girls

The young people are campaigning for a new role to be established, similar to the Minister for Women and Equalities at Westminster, or the Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health in Wales.

The Ballycastle-based group were drawn to the idea because, Pearse said: “A minister has a basic obligation to make legislation, and creating one could be a good step towards changing how women’s safety and healthcare is approached in government.”

Aoísha O’Neill, 18, who is Pearse’s sister said establishing a dedicated Minister for Women’s Safety and Health would bring together women’s issues “so they can be tackled in a more efficient way”.

As well as improving infrastructure, the group is calling for a Minister to shrink healthcare waiting lists and broaden the school curriculum.

She said the group wants to see is improved sex and relationship education in schools and said young people growing up must be given “enough information about their own bodies”.

Post-primary schools in NI get guidance on how to deliver classes on sex education.

“I think, currently, issues of women’s health and safety are quite low on departments’ priority lists,” added Aoísha.

There have been efforts to take action on the issue.

The first and deputy first ministers have both been involved in work to end violence against women and girls, external and the Executive Office (TEO) launched its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy in 2024.

A spokeswomen for TEO said promoting the health and safety of women, including ending violence and abuse, is a priority.

She said this was underscored by the inclusion of the strategy.

“Addressing this long-term issue requires a coordinated, whole Executive approach, with all Ministers working collectively.”

In 2022 the PSNI launched an action plan aimed at reducing violence against women and girls.

The teenagers hope a dedicated women’s minister would be a member of the Northern Ireland Executive, holding office as a minister within the Executive Office and appointed by the First and Deputy First Ministers.

Responsibility for tackling VAWG, healthcare and education sits across Stormont departments for justice, health and education.

“Women’s safety and health is such a large and pressing issue that it’s so difficult to keep up with,” Eimear said.

“With a Minister’s resources and attention it could be tackled effectively.”

Devyn says, for example, it’s “abhorrent” that women in Northern Ireland face lengthly waits for gynaecology appointments.