Local community groups have teamed up with Belfast City Council for a special walk around a North Belfast park this weekend to mark International Women's Day.
The ‘Steps to End Violence’ event at the Waterworks will be held on Saturday, March 8, from 1pm to 3pm. It has been organised to support the Northern Ireland Executive’s seven-year Strategic Framework, led by the Executive Office, to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
It is one of several community events taking place across the city during March as part of work by the council to engage local communities in what the strategy means for them.
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Saturday’s walk will be led by former Northern Ireland Ladies' Football captain Marissa Callaghan and men, women and children are all invited to walk together around the Waterworks site, followed by entertainment, live music and food and information stalls. The walk will start at 1pm from the lower lake, next to the children’s play park.
A number of local groups including Grace Family Centre, R City, Ardoyne Enterprises, New Lodge Youth Club, Mountcollyer Youth Club, Marrowbone Community Association, Cliftonville Community Forum, North Belfast Women’s Initiative and Support Network and New Lodge Arts will be taking part. The organisations will be highlighting services available locally to support women and families impacted by domestic abuse, coercive control and other forms of violence.
Launching the event, High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Fiona McAteer said: “This is such a positive event, bringing the community together to show their solidarity on an issue which impacts all of us.
“The message from the Strategic Framework is clear – there is something everyone can do to end violence against women and girls, and this is one practical way people can show their support.
“Our council has been working closely with communities to help them identify, and plan for, more initiatives like this that start a conversation and help to raise awareness. The ideas have been fantastic, and we’re pleased to support local organisations in bringing them to life over the coming weeks.”
Other events are planned throughout March across the city. In West Belfast, Falls and Shankill Women’s Centres are joining together to deliver round table discussions on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March. The events will look at the complexities in tackling violence, alongside practical steps men and women can both take to challenge behaviour and help women and girls feel, and be, safe everywhere.
In the south of the city, the Women’s Resource and Development Agency will explore sexual harassment and victim blaming in sessions open to men and women. They are planned for Sandy Row Community Centre, University of Ulster, Markets Community Centre, Finaghy Community Centre and other venues, with full dates and times available at belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence
On Friday 21 March, 9.45am-1pm, Walkway Community Association in East Belfast will also host a panel discussion with representatives from PSNI, Women’s Aid and the Education Authority. Local residents can get advice and support from agencies and trained counsellors, and ask questions about what the Strategic Framework means for them. Creche facilities will also be available to support as many women as possible to attend.
The area events are among a range of initiatives being delivered by the council between January and March 2025 to support the Strategic Framework.
They include a Local Change Fund to provide grants of up to £25,000 towards community projects, personal safety events in community centres and free training for community and voluntary groups who want to better understand the issues around ending violence against women and girls.
A conference for leaders in sport, looking at ways to engage men and boys, is also planned for the Titanic Hotel on Sunday 23 March, 12pm-5pm. Further information on all projects is available on the council website at belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence
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