AQO 1882/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 25/03/2021
Answered On Date: 23/04/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether their Department will lead on the implementation of a gender-based strategy to end male violence against women and girls.

Answer:

Much work is already ongoing in the Department of Justice and the Department for Communities to address violence against women and girls and gender bias.

The Assembly and the Executive have however identified a clear need for us to act collectively to adopt a strategic approach to address this wicked problem. This will provide the opportunity to deliver cultural and societal change to ensure there are healthy behaviours and attitudes towards women and girls.

The Executive has agreed that TEO will co-ordinate the development of such a Strategy and have asked that the interim Head of the Civil Service be tasked to engage across all departments seeking resources to enable TEO to lead on the design, development and implementation of the strategy.

Once resources are in place, we are committed to this work being taken forward at pace.