Debate contribution: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Strategic Framework
Debate contribution by Ms Joanne Bunting on .
- MLA
- Ms Joanne Bunting
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 2 February 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Strategic Framework
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5356447
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Ending violence against women and girls is one of the most pressing challenges facing society today. We have invested over £5 million in communities, working with partners across society to raise awareness and to equip everyone to be able to take action to prevent it. Early results from regional programmes are positive, with 98% of participants surveyed reporting an increased knowledge of violence against women and girls and 96% reporting a better understanding of what a healthy relationship is.
In addition, the projects supported by the change fund reflect what communities need to respond to the crisis. Sports clubs, community groups, faith groups and children and young people and people from urban and rural areas, among others, are all engaged.
Budget planning for the period beyond March 2026 will, of course, depend on the outcome of the Executive's Budget process. To support the delivery of the strategic framework, future-year bids have been submitted that reflect the level of investment required to maintain momentum and deliver the programme's ambitions over the long term. The next plan will be brought to the Executive shortly and will continue to deliver the strategic framework objectives. While we are at the start of a long journey, we are laying strong foundations and will continue to assess the longer-term impact of specific interventions.
217 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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