Violence against women at 'epidemic levels' in Ireland

VIOLENCE against women is at ‘epidemic levels’ in Ireland as the cost of living crisis persists.

That’s according to the National Women’s Council (NWC) who said the cost of living crisis “continues to cause greater harm to women”. 

Over two days, a group of women will meet for the ‘All-Island Women’s Forum’ to discuss these “twin crises” and build cross-border solutions, on November 1 and 2. 

The aim of the forum is to bring together women from both sides of the border, from marginalised communities, and spanning generations.

NWC Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation, Rachel Coyle, said: “The biggest crises facing women on this shared island know no borders. In both jurisdictions, north and south, women work hard to support each other in the face of violence and economic inequality. At today’s forum, we’re bringing women together in solidarity, to share experiences and to develop cross-border solutions to improve the lives of women across this island.”

NWC Chair Margaret Martin said: “The All-Island Women’s Forum is a hugely important space for us to connect with each other and stand in solidarity against the challenges that face us as women. I am looking forward to hearing from a range of diverse voices as we explore these challenges together.”

As well as centring women’s voices in community and peacebuilding, the forum builds all-island alliances and solidarity. The Forum has made several recommendations to both governments, including developing an all-island strategy on gender-based violence, introducing gender quotas for local politics, and improving economic equality.