Teenagers Campaign for Women's Safety Minister in NI

Four teenagers in Northern Ireland have initiated a campaign, 'The Athrú Project', advocating for the creation of a dedicated minister for women's safety and health within Stormont. This initiative comes in response to ongoing concerns about violence against women and girls, with charity Women's Aid reporting that 31 women have lost their lives in the region since 2020. In most of these tragic cases, a man was either responsible for the death or charged in connection with it.

Motivation for Change

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The campaign was inspired by frequent news reports detailing attacks and fatalities involving women. Eimear McCloskey, aged 18, expressed feelings of disappointment and nervousness regarding what she perceives as inadequate protection for women in her community. She highlighted issues such as insufficient CCTV coverage and poor lighting in public areas, which can leave individuals feeling vulnerable and without evidence should an incident occur. Devyn McAlister, also 18, stated that while politicians condemn such acts, tangible action appears lacking, leading to personal feelings of fear and the need for safety precautions when moving around.

Pearse O'Neill, now 19, noted the increasing coverage of violence against women and girls on the news in August 2025. His experience volunteering with a charity led him to believe that starting a campaign was an achievable goal. He approached his friends in Ballycastle, County Antrim, with the idea of taking action, feeling that waiting longer was not an option.

Proposed Role and Responsibilities

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Aoísha O'Neill, Pearse's 18-year-old sister, suggested that a dedicated minister at Stormont could effectively centralise and address women's safety and health concerns. She drew parallels with existing ministerial roles in Westminster for women and equalities, and in Wales for social care, mental health, and women's health. Pearse explained that a minister has a fundamental duty to legislate, and such an appointment could signify a significant shift in governmental approach to women's safety and healthcare. Aoísha also believes this role could help reduce healthcare waiting lists and enhance sex and relationship education in schools, noting that women's health and safety issues are currently low priorities for many departments.

Eimear McCloskey agreed that the scope of women's safety and health issues makes them difficult to manage without focused attention and resources. Devyn McAlister described the lengthy waits for gynaecology appointments in Northern Ireland as 'abhorrent'.

Government Response and Existing Strategies

A spokesperson for the Department of Health confirmed that women's health is a 'key area of focus' and that efforts are underway to improve services. The department is developing a Women's Health Action Plan for Northern Ireland to foster positive dialogue around women's health and wellbeing. The Executive Office (TEO) launched its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy in 2024, emphasising that promoting women's health and safety requires a coordinated, Executive-wide approach. Other initiatives include a Domestic and Sexual Abuse strategy and a Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy, launched in March 2026 by Justice Minister Naomi Long. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) also introduced an action plan in 2022 to address violence against women and girls.

Looking Ahead

The teenagers have conducted an online survey and hosted a panel event with politicians and campaigners to gather support for their proposal. Pearse O'Neill reported positive initial responses from politicians and aims to broaden their support base. Cara Hunter, an SDLP assembly member, stated that the idea of a dedicated women's minister is 'worth exploring further', though she noted the need to examine the logistics and costs involved to ensure value for public money. Pearse stressed the importance of collective responsibility in improving women's health and safety, stating that 'everyone knows someone affected by this'.