Publications
Women’s Policy Group NI Briefing for MLAs on the Supreme Court Judgment in For Women Scotland (FWS) Ltd vs the Scottish Ministers (2025) as it relates to Northern Ireland
The Women’s Policy Group NI briefing addresses concerns about the UK Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd vs Scottish Ministers and its implications for Northern Ireland. It clarifies that the Equality Act 2010 does not apply in NI and the judgment cannot be incorporated due to the Windsor Framework. The group criticises the EHRC guidance for endangering the rights and privacy of trans, non-binary, and intersex people, and warns of broader impacts on all women. They reject defining womanhood through legal or biological terms and call for respectful, inclusive dialogue on the issue.
Where’s Our Democracy? One Year On: Is the Assembly Working for Women? Progress Report
The Women’s Policy Group assessed progress on 15 key “Day 1 Asks” one year after the Assembly's return. Using a traffic light system, they rated departmental actions on issues like women's health, childcare, gender budgeting, and violence against women. While some goals were achieved—such as welfare mitigations and the Domestic & Sexual Abuse Strategy—many areas showed limited or no progress. Several ministers declined meetings with the group. Positive developments include consultations on employment rights and gender pay gap monitoring. The report highlights ongoing advocacy and the importance of Private Member’s Bills in advancing women’s rights in Northern Ireland.
Key Briefing - Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (February 2024)
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Minister for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs to prioritise a Just Transition, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and support for rural women. They call for an independent Just Transition Commission, a cross-departmental SDG strategy, and better funding and transport access for rural women. The group stresses the need for an independent Environmental Protection Agency and highlights the importance of embedding equality and rights into all departmental decisions to ensure a fair, sustainable future for all.
Key Briefing - Health (February 2024)
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Minister for Health to prioritize key issues affecting women and girls in Northern Ireland. These include implementing a Women’s Health Strategy, establishing a Mother and Baby Unit, ensuring full access to abortion services, commissioning gender identity healthcare, restoring the Department of Health core grant, and banning conversion therapy. These measures aim to address systemic inequalities and improve health outcomes, guided by human rights and lived experiences.
Key Briefing - Justice (February 2024)
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Justice Minister to prioritize key gender equality issues now that the Assembly has returned. Their focus includes implementing outstanding Gillen Review recommendations (especially around jury education and consent), fully funding the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, enacting Hate Crime legislation that includes misogyny, and reviewing Family Court procedures in Northern Ireland. These actions aim to address systemic injustices and improve protections for women and girls, grounded in lived experiences and human rights law.
Key Briefing - TEO (February 2024)
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Northern Ireland Executive to prioritize two key issues: finalizing and funding the draft Strategy on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), and completing and enacting a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. Both initiatives have been developed but stalled due to the absence of government. The group emphasizes the urgency of addressing epidemic levels of gender-based violence and fulfilling the unkept promises of the Good Friday Agreement. These actions are framed as essential for protecting rights and achieving long-term societal benefits.
Key Briefing - Communities (February 2024)
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Minister for Communities to prioritize gender equality through the implementation of Social Inclusion Strategies and Welfare Mitigations. These include the Gender Equality and Anti-Poverty Strategies, developed before the Executive collapse in 2022. The group emphasizes the urgent need to act on the Welfare Mitigations Review, particularly ending the Two Child Cap, which disproportionately affects women, children, and disabled people in Northern Ireland. Their goal is to build a more equal and thriving society by addressing systemic injustices through long-term policy change.
Key Briefing - Education (February 2024)
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Education Minister to prioritise three key areas: a comprehensive and funded Childcare Strategy to address affordability and access; implementation of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) that aligns with legal and human rights standards; and improved Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision to ensure equal access to education. These measures aim to tackle systemic gender inequality, support families, and uphold children’s rights, especially in early years. The group stresses the urgency of action now that the Northern Ireland Assembly has returned.
Key Briefing - Economy
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Economy Minister to act on key gender equality issues now that the Assembly has returned. Their priorities include implementing the Circular Economy Strategy, expanding the 10X Strategy to include non-STEM sectors like care work, introducing Paid Miscarriage Leave, and issuing guidance for the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act (2022). These measures aim to support vulnerable individuals, promote sustainability, and ensure economic strategies reflect the value of work often done by women. The group stresses the urgency of progressing legislation and policies that were delayed due to the absence of government.
Key Briefing - Finance (February 2024)
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Finance Minister to adopt gender budgeting, improve equality impact assessments (EQIAs), and ensure revenue-raising measures protect vulnerable groups. They advocate for a pilot of gender budgeting to promote transparency and efficiency, standardized cumulative EQIAs for budgets, and a focus on protecting those most affected by austerity and the cost of living crisis. Their proposals aim to embed long-term, equitable financial planning in Northern Ireland.
Key Briefing - Infrastructure
The Women’s Policy Group urges the Minister for Infrastructure to prioritize gender equality in transport and climate policy. Key asks include swift implementation of the All Island Strategic Rail Review, protection of concessionary fares for rural women over 60, and collaboration with DAERA to meet Climate Change Act commitments. These measures aim to improve public transport accessibility, especially for women who rely on it more, and ensure infrastructure projects support environmental goals.
Women’s Policy Group - Feminist Recovery Plan Election Asks
The NI COVID-19 Feminist Recovery Plan: Election Asks outlines key policy demands from the Women’s Policy Group (WPG) for the May 2022 Assembly Election. It calls for action on gender equality across six pillars: Economic Justice, Health, Social Justice, Culture, Brexit & Human Rights, and International Best Practice. Key asks include implementing gender pay gap legislation, funding childcare, addressing women’s poverty, improving mental health services, commissioning abortion services, tackling underrepresentation of women in politics, and introducing inclusive education and a Bill of Rights. The plan highlights the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on women and urges systemic change through feminist-informed policy.
Women’s Policy Group - Feminist Recovery Plan Election Asks
Women’s Policy Group - VAWG SR Visit 2024
The Women’s Policy Group NI submitted a report to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, highlighting systemic gender inequality in Northern Ireland. It details the impact of political instability, lack of government strategies, and the effects of paramilitarism on women. Research shows high rates of violence, low trust in police and courts, and significant barriers to reporting abuse. The report calls for urgent action on gender equality, improved legal protections, and better support for victims, especially in light of Northern Ireland’s high femicide rates and inadequate responses to stalking, domestic abuse, and state violence.
Women’s Policy Group - VAWG SR Visit 2024
Women’s Policy Group - Violence Against Women and Girls Research Report
The Women’s Policy Group report highlights the widespread and deeply entrenched issue of men’s violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. Based on over 1,000 survey responses, it reveals systemic failures in justice, education, and public support. Key findings include low reporting rates, lack of trust in police, and the urgent need for a dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. The report calls for cultural change, improved education, justice reform, and targeted support for marginalised groups. It underscores the need for immediate, meaningful action to protect women and girls and end gender-based violence.
Women’s Policy Group - Violence Against Women and Girls Research Report
Women’s Policy Group - Women’s Manifesto 2023
The Women’s Manifesto for Local Councils (NI Council Elections 2023) by the Women’s Policy Group outlines key recommendations for councils to advance gender equality and social justice. It calls for gender budgeting, improved social welfare and housing, better health and wellbeing initiatives, enhanced community safety, and stronger environmental sustainability. The manifesto urges councils to embed gender perspectives in decision-making, support vulnerable groups, promote inclusive public services, and tackle climate change locally. It emphasizes transparency, community engagement, and intersectional approaches to policymaking, aiming to create a fairer, safer, and more equitable Northern Ireland.
Women’s Policy Group - Women’s Manifesto 2023
Women’s Policy Group - Women’s Manifesto 2024
The Women’s Manifesto 2024 by the Women’s Policy Group NI outlines key demands for gender equality in Northern Ireland. It calls for a feminist, intersectional approach to economic policy, welfare reform, childcare, housing, health, and climate action. The manifesto urges MPs and parties to address systemic underfunding, implement gender budgeting, support women’s organisations, and uphold human rights. It highlights the need for action on violence against women, inclusive education, and equal political representation. The document is non-partisan and rooted in lived experiences and international human rights standards, aiming to influence policy in the upcoming UK General Election.
Women’s Policy Group - Women’s Manifesto 2024
WPG Letter with Cross-Party Support to Secretary of State - The Impact of Budget Cuts (August 2023)
The letter urges Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State to allocate its share of the £76 million Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund directly to support vulnerable communities. It highlights the region’s acute needs and criticizes using the funds to offset budget overspending. The appeal is backed by MLAs and MPs.
WPG Letter with Cross-Party Support to Secretary of State - The Impact of Budget Cuts (August 2023)
WPG Letter to Secretary of State The Impact of Budget Cuts - May 2023
A coalition of women’s, LGBTQI+, human rights, and community organisations in Northern Ireland express deep concern over UK Government budget cuts, warning they will devastate public services and disproportionately harm vulnerable women and communities. They request an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to address these issues.
WPG Letter to Secretary of State The Impact of Budget Cuts - May 2023
WSL Summary of Political Party Manifestos Assembly Election 22
The document analyses Northern Ireland political party manifestos for the 2022 Assembly Election, assessing their commitments to women's rights and equality. It compares parties’ positions on childcare, employment, health, poverty, reproductive rights, and other feminist recovery plan priorities.
WSL Summary of Political Party Manifestos Assembly Election 22
WPG Open Letter on the Cost of Living Crisis in Northern Ireland 2022
Over 100 organisations have signed an open letter urging urgent political action to address Northern Ireland’s cost of living crisis. They highlight rising poverty, fuel insecurity, and worsening health, calling for the restoration of Stormont to implement policies that protect vulnerable households and prevent further economic and social harm.
WPG Open Letter on the Cost of Living Crisis in Northern Ireland 2022