Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Newry, Mourne and Down

Ending all forms of violence, abuse and harm against women and girls is one of the most pressing challenges facing us today. It is also a priority in the NI Executive’s draft Programme for Government.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is supporting the NI Executive Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. The Strategy highlights how violence is never acceptable and that there is something everyone can do to help.

We are working with a range of partners to tackle an issue which impacts everyone across our District.

Our work includes:

area events in partnership with the Education Authority and our local Youth Voice Group
awareness sessions with Elected Members (facilitated by Women’s Aid ArmaghDown)
engagement events with local businesses and community / voluntary sector groups
a Video & Social Media Campaign
a Stakeholder Conference, taking place on Tuesday 25 March 2025 in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry

Stakeholder Conference, Tuesday 25 March 2025

Canal Court Hotel Newry

Connect, Challenge, Change - Working in partnership towards Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Newry, Mourne and Down

Hear from leading experts and share ideas to effect change as we foster local conversations on making our District a safer place for women and girls.

This event will feature inspiring keynote speakers, insightful discussions and valuable networking opportunities. Attendees will explore challenges, solutions and collective actions to create safer communities, change attitudes and drive meaningful action in the fight against violence towards women and girls.

View the conference running order here.

View the speaker bios here.

Local Change Fund

Community and voluntary groups are being invited to apply for grants to deliver projects aimed at tackling violence against women and girls across Newry, Mourne and Down. This new Local Change Fund grant scheme has been set up to support the Northern Ireland Executive's seven-year Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls.

The projects must be delivered before 31 March 2026 and their aim is to help change the attitudes, behaviours and culture of violence against women and girls, to promote healthy, respectful relationships and to help women and girls to feel and to be safe everywhere.

Successful applicants will be added to this landing page once funding has been allocated. For more information visit here

Help and support

There are agencies and confidential services that can support you if you are experiencing violence or feel unsafe. Contact details are available from nidirect.

The PSNI, Department of Justice and NI Executive have launched the Power to Change campaign, which is urging men and boys to help play their part in affecting cultural and societal change.

To read more about this campaign, go to Power to Change.