Welcome to the first edition of Act to End
Act to End – this is our first edition Ezine update from the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Programme which we plan to release bimonthly to keep you informed about the activity and impact of the programme delivery with our partners. By working collaboratively, across the whole of government and whole of society, together we are driving the change that is needed to end violence against women and girls
Geraldine Fee, Director, EVAWG
Power to Change Campaign
The Power to Change Campaign, developed in collaboration between TEO’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Division, Department of Justice and led by PSNI was launched this year. It challenges harmful attitudes and behaviours of men and boys and uses the Bystander approach. Help to act – Power To Change
The success of this campaign is currently being monitored, and it has had significant reach online and across print media. Hitting target audiences, most of the connections on social media are by men, with majority aged 18-24 yrs. YouTube impressions have hit 2.4million across both younger and older male demographics.
The true impact of this campaign won’t be fully understood in the short term as it is linked to human behaviour which of course is a long term goal. But we’ve made a start towards bringing about the change. Access Power to Change campaign and resources here Power To Change Toolkit
Youth Creating the Change
Young people designing for young people
We are committed to hearing the voice of young people and acting on it. Working with the Education Authority Youth Services, young people have contributed to the shaping of the EVAWG Strategic Framework Easy Read, and they have inputted the development of the Power to Change campaign. The Youth Panels have also taken their EVAWG learning and created products for other youth settings.
A board game has been designed to support the Power to Change campaign, it is called ‘Raise Your Game’. The young people have designed scenarios that they find challenging, they have looked at myths, what’s true and what’s not; and created a board game for young people to use to open a facilitated conversation, to help them get a better understanding of what violence against women and girls (VAWG) is and its impact on their lives.
They have also designed a youth focused VAWG resource; it is a toolkit covering 10 themes. Each theme has useful information and activities designed to explore the theme further in youth settings.
The products will be tested in EA youth settings first, and then we hope to roll them out across other settings.
EVAWG – Challenge Fund – Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)
Photo caption: L-R: Diana Thompson (Inclutech), Becca Hume (Inclutech), Azize Naji (Goggleminds) and David Malcolm (TEO Permanent Secretary)
Exploring how tech can help with Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)
Earlier this year we marked the end of the first phase of the EVAWG Challenge Fund to support technological and other innovations by private sector companies to improve the safety of women and girls.
Selected suppliers presented their proof-of-concept innovative solutions at the MAC, Belfast. The audience heard from a range of tech innovation companies that addressed two challenges;
1: Violence Against Women and Girls Through Data and Tech Innovations.
2: Making Spaces Safer For Women and Girls Through Design and Technology.
The event was filled with promising solutions and enthusiasm for using innovation to make a meaningful impact; including wearable technology, safety in public realm and challenging online offences directed at women and girls, to name a few.
We are looking forward to exploring further development of ideas and products in phase two.
Suppliers that showcased their solutions included, Cranmore Consulting Ltd, Goggleminds Ltd, Politus Analytics, Inclutech Ltd, Orb Connect Ltd, and Think Pig Ltd. This is a Small Business Research Innovation (SBRI) project managed by the EVAWG team and supported by the Strategic Investment Board (SIB).
Showcase and Shared Learning Event
Photo caption: L-R: Catherine Black (Mid and East Antrim Council), Cate Taggart (Belfast City Council), Ursula Fay (SOLACE), Martina Flynn (Newry, Mourne and Down Council), Emma Keenan (Ards and North Down Council), Geraldine Fee, (EVAWG) Teresa Bradley (Derry City and Strabane District Council), Carol Follis (Fermanagh and Omagh District Council), Denise Smith (Mid Ulster Council), Lisa Harris (Causeway Coast and Glens), Angela Green Armagh, Banbridge Craigavon Council and Fionnuala French (EVAWG).
From funding to investment that delivers real change
The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Division came together with Councils and Regional Change Fund Delivery partners to showcase and share learnings and activities undertaken with Momentum Funding provided by the Executive Office.
Presentations from each Council provided an overview of their approach to ending violence against women and girls in their Council area. We also heard about the many projects planned for delivery up to March 2026 under the Local Change Fund.
Regional Change Fund Delivery Partners shared information on their projects with each of the Councils, helping to build better connections to improve wider delivery.
This networking event held at Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, strengthens partnerships across the women’s sector and a wide range of community organisations, while exploring the shared goals between stakeholders.
Guidance was also provided to community organisations using Outcomes Based Accountability (OBA) to help measure and evaluate their impact.
Councils displayed their communications toolkits, pop-up banners and others visual materials which all supported the EVAWG key messaging. Videos commissioned by Councils with straight-talking storylines were played.Click here to view an example: Newry Mourne and Down District Council Video – Violence Against Women and Girls
How much did we do?
Is anyone better off?
Experiencing Legislative Theatre
Photo caption: EVAWG representatives with representatives from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the Public Health Agency, the Executive Office, Department of Justice, Department for Communities, Francis Hanna & Co. Solicitors, North Down and Ards Women’s Aid and Housing Rights
Empathy and emotional intelligence centre stage
Earlier this year, EVAWG participated in a legislative theatre process organised by Housing Rights, North Down and Ards Women’s Aid, Arts & Homelessness International, and The People Act. The event was aimed at preventing homelessness for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Women with first hand experience of domestic abuse and homelessness created and performed a short play illustrating their challenges. Key issues were identified by audience members and then they collaborated to co-create policy proposals addressing the key issues raised in the play.
Representatives from Departments, Councils, PSNI and private sector were hands on with the creative process and policy proposals were taken away for consideration.
Collaboration & Mainstreaming EVAWG
Building the evidence base
EVAWG’s collaboration through sectoral working groups on education, safer socialising and workplace continues, alongside community led reviews aimed at understanding the needs of women facing additional barriers. We are also continuing to build our research base including the attitudes of men and boys.
Together we are stronger!
EVAWG are glad to have been able to contribute to discussions across health, education, justice, and local government forums, gaining greater insight into this issue and building strong cross sector relationships.
It has been a privilege to be able to speak at events hosted by teaching bodies, health professionals, councils and others. This has provided us with opportunity to reinforce the key message that tackling VAWG requires a united, whole of society response. Through these connections, we continued to gather momentum, promoting best practice and building towards the goal to deliver lasting change.
YOUR OPINIONS MATTER @TOPIC
Masculinities and Attitudes of Men and Boys
Young men and boys aged 16-24 are invited to complete this survey to tell us what they think about violence against women and girls at this link > Masculinities and Attitudes of Men and Boys Survey Please feel free to share across your networks.
