E Library Resources
All resources are available for immediate download. We aim to bring you links to all the latest research and reports relevant to local women.
Provides a critical examination of the Northern Ireland Executive's latest childcare policy document, Bright Start, from the perspective of women in disadvantaged and rural areas.
Provides a comparative study of childcare policies.
Estimates the economic ramifications of providing universal childcare in Northern Ireland using cost-benefit analysis.
Reviews childcare costs in Northern Ireland
Report by NERI exploring the differing costs of childcare throughout Ireland.
A guide for parents and care givers from Plan International on how to talk to children about the Covid-19 Crisis
Summarises on an annual basis the latest figures on the cost of childcare.
Reviews the nature of government support for childcare costs within universal credit.
Childcare for All's annual report into the cost of childcare in Northern Ireland.
January 2019
Report by the NERI thinktank looking at 20 years of developent in Women's employment in NI
Puts forward new standards developed to provide assurance of a consistent level of quality in childminding and day care services, and also to ensure a consistent regional approach to registration and inspection.
Sets out the type, extent and delivery of childcare provision necessary to maximise the economic participation of women within Northern Ireland.
This report aims to stimulate a fresh debate about one of the most important issues facing our society: how best to care for our children. We propose three changes to help overcome inequalities and move towards better childcare for all.
Presents a roadmap for the development of early years, childcare and family support services for Northern Ireland.
Women's Resource & Development Agency, Children in Northern Ireland and Women's Information Northern Ireland joint response to OFMDFM's "Delivering Social Change Through Childcare" Strategy, November 2015
A selection of people recount their childcare arrangements to illustrate the need for universal childcare in Northern Ireland.
NIRWN's consultation response to OFMDFM's "Delivering Social Change Through Childcare" Strategy, November 2015
This discussion paper makes the case for investing in free universal childcare services of high quality in order to reduce gender inequality in earnings and employment. It estimates the employment-generating and fiscal effects of investing in free universal childcare in three middle income countries: South Africa, Uruguay, and Turkey. It calculates the total annual costs of investing in high-quality childcare services that would cover the entire population of children below primary school age, using parameters relevant to each national context.
Explores childcare demand among ethnic minority groups in Northern Ireland.
Sets out the framework, principles and a range of key first actions to help deliver the Executive’s vision for childcare. A more comprehensive childcare strategy is set to follow shortly.
Explores women's community education provision as a key component of Northern Ireland's active and vibrant community learning sector.
Draws on research carried out during throughout the first half of 2014 to identify gaps and unmet needs in education and training affecting women in disadvantaged and rural areas.
A Unison campaign to recognise the work of support staff in schools.
This publication summarizes data, research, and policy work by UN Women’s Policy and Programme Division on the pandemic’s impact on women and girls, including the impact on extreme poverty, employment, health, unpaid care, and violence against women and girls. The publication also brings into focus the paucity of gender data and calls for greater investment and prioritization of data on the gendered effects of the crisis.
Provides an overview of how programmes for a ‘hard to reach’ target group can be delivered successfully in a women’s centre setting.
While education levels of women have increased dramatically relative to men, women are still greatly underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) college programmes. The ESRI use unique data on preference rankings for all secondary school students who apply for college in Ireland and detailed information on school subjects and grades to decompose the sources of the gender gap in STEM.
Report assessming the impact of Women's Tec over a three year period.
Draws learning from a range of projects and initiatives in Northern Ireland and beyond in working towards de-segregating the workforce through facilitating the access of women to non-traditional occupations.
A Report by MATRIX into the impact of women in science.
Report by the Young Women's Trus into the value of unpaid work.
Outlines issues facing minority ethnic women wanting to secure employment, while making a number of recommendations. Also compares and contrasts the experiences of the integration of minority ethnic women in business across the island of Ireland.
Explores key educational inequalities across the equality grounds in Northern Ireland.
The Women into Non-Traditional Sectors (WINS) project led by Belfast City Council and the Equal at Work project in Dublin, both part-funded by the EU Equal Initiative, commissioned research into mechanisms for brining women into non-traditional occupations north and south. Training for Women Network (TWN) carried out the work for Northern Ireland and the Women’s Education Resource and Research Centre (WERRC) at University College Dublin (UCD) carried out the research for the Republic of Ireland.
This summary document outlines recommendations for Political Parties, Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on how to address women's under representation in Local Government.
Investigates the barriers to participation faced by women from minority ethnic backgrounds in starting up and conducting businesses in Northern Ireland, encompassing issues for businesses in general, issues for women and issues for members of minority ethnic groups.
Contains information on the economic status of women in Northern Ireland from the most recent quarterly labour force survey.
Executive Summary of the final comparative report of the Enlargement, Gender and Government project by Queen's University Belfast
Evaluates the affect of careers education, careers guidance and other provision on the aspirations and choices of girls and young women.
A formal investigation into the treatment of pregnant workers and mothers in Northern Ireland's workplaces.
In most developed countries, economies are facing population ageing, falling fertility rates and stagnating labour force participation. The ability of governments to fund future pension and health-care expenditure relies to a large extent on income tax and social security receipts from workers. Policymakers are generally in agreement that increasing the labour force participation of women, without reducing the fertility rate, is needed. In the year 2000, with the aim of increasing women's labour market participation, a partial individualisation of the Irish income tax system was initiated. Using the Living in Ireland survey and a difference-in-differences framework, I investigate whether this reform had any effect on female labour supply and caring duties. I find that the labour force participation rate of married women increased by 5-6 percentage points in the wake of the reform, hours of work increased by two per week and hours of unpaid childcare decreased by approximately the same margin.
NWCI have launched research exploring women's under representation in local government. This was carried out by Dr Pauline Cullen and Claire McGing. It was kindly supported by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
ifty years on from the Equal Pay Act 1970, women are still fighting to make equal pay a reality. Far from this battle being won, this report shows that women are routinely unaware of what their colleagues earn, and therefore unable to secure equal pay. From supermarkets and councils to broadcasters and catering companies, men are still being paid more for the same work, work rated as equivalent, or work of equal value.
A leaflet looking at employer's duty towards pregnant employees and maternity leave.
This briefing paper from the New Economics Foundation summarises the case for shortening people’s working hours without a loss in pay and puts forward an initial policy framework for getting there. It also marks the beginning of a new stream of work supporting those in trade unions, industry and government seeking to pursue this cause in the UK and across Europe.
Women make up the majority of those employed in the civil service but are underrepresented at the most senior grades, where key policy and operational decisions are taken. Action 8 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan commits to improving gender balance at each level, including senior grades. The present study was commissioned by a high-level steering group set up to oversee implementation of this action. It draws on a combination of administrative data, reanalysis of the Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey conducted in 2015, and in-depth work history interviews with 50 senior civil servants across four departments. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with staff involved in recruitment and promotion within the public service. This rich combination of data yields new insights into the processes shaping gender differences in representation at the most senior grades of the civil service and thus provides a strong evidence base to inform future policy and practice.
This paper by The Progressive Policy Think Tank (TPPTT) argues that automation presents an opportunity to narrow gender inequalities, and sets out four propositions for change based on this premise.
Comprehensively evaluates the Live and Learn Project, which has run throughout the last five years and offers training, support and events for women through 14 women's centres based in local communities across Northern Ireland.
This article examines the impact of a large increase in female participation on occupational segregation. Increases in female participation may decrease occupational segregation if women enter male dominated sectors but may increase segregation if they enter already female dominated sectors. Using Ireland as a test case due to the recent large increase in female participation rates, we firstly carry out a decomposition analysis between 1991 and 2006 and find that the rise in female employment was driven predominantly by increased demand while between one tenth and one fifth of the rise was due to women increasing their share of occupational employment. Formal measures of segregation show that occupational segregation fell over this time period. The formal measures of segregation show that the level of occupational grouping is important with stagnation or smaller falls in segregation using a broad occupational grouping and sharper falls using a more detailed occupational grouping. Our findings support previous U.S. research that found a rise in female participation resulted in a decline in occupational segregation.
Summary of The Progressive Policy Think Tank paper arguing that automation presents an opportunity to narrow gender inequalities.
ICTU conducted a survey to explore how the menopause affected people at work in Northern Ireland.
Toolkit on how to end sexual violence and harassment in third level education.
Alice Martin wrote for Tribune about the possibilities that a shorter working week would offer to parents, children and nursery workers alike.
This report sets out arguments for a much shorter working week. It proposes a significant shift in what is considered ‘normal’ – down from 40 hours or more, to 21 hours. While people can choose to work longer or shorter hours, we propose that 21 hours – or its equivalent spread across the calendar year – should become the standard that is generally expected by government, employers, trade unions, employees, and everyone else.
A review of data on the prevalence of sexual violence and harassment in Irish higher education settings.
discusses how gendered behaviours are perceived in the workplace. Comments on development of these attitudes over time.
submission to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation on their guidance for home working. The submission makes recommendations on work/life balance, women’s leadership and career development, childcare, health, violence against women and workers’ rights.
A Working Paper by CCEA Investigating the Low Participation of Girls taking Computing in Northern Ireland Schools.
School-related gender based violence (SRGBV) has a devastating impact on learners around the world. Every year, millions of children and adolescents mostly girls – are deprived of their right to an equitable and inclusive education. Policy makers, governments, educators, parents and activists are increasingly confronted by this problem and looking for the most effective measures to end gender based violence in and around schools. Education unions are playing a unique role in this global effort.
The Young Women's Trust surveyed almost 200 young women to hear what impact coronavirus has had on their work, finances and wellbeing.
Booklet produced by TUC on women's rights at work relating to sexual harassment.
Report based on an all Ireland Trade Union survey.
Looks at how humanitarian crises have a disproportionate impact on the secondary education of girls.
If progress for gender equality and non-discrimination were measured in legal and policy advances, the momentum over the past 20 years would be record-breaking. And yet, why do so many hard-won policy and legal reform processes fail to generate any measurable changes for gender justice? Women’s workforce participation is increasing all over the world yet we are witnessing persistent inequalities and gender power dynamics that keep women subordinate. Sexual harassment, for example, involving high profile individuals from the full spectrum of workplaces –United Nations, business, media, and civil society organizations– is front page news everywhere. In Australia, despite being outlawed for 25 years, sexual harassment is the top complaint received by its Human Rights Commission; in EU countries, 40-50% of women reported that they experienced sexual harassment in the workplace; in Japan, in 2013 the Equal Employment Office had 9.230 sexual harassment cases and in the US, one in three cases before the Equal Employment Commission are sexual harassment cases.
Reviews international research evidence on the relationship between gender and education.
Breif summary of PLAN International's report on the impacts of humanitarian crises on girls' secondary education.
This discussion paper focuses on sexual harassment of workers in the informal economy, with a focus on farmworkers and domestic workers. It seeks to shed light on the experiences of those who are, by definition, unrecorded, unrecognised, and unprotected.
This second edition, co-published by UN Women and OHCHR, aims to provide guidance to lawmakers and policymakers, as well as civil society organizations and other stakeholders, on supporting the adoption and effective implementation of laws, policies, and programmes to respect, protect, and fulfil women’s rights to land and other productive resources. The publication also provides recommendations for realizing women’s rights to land and other productive resources based on promising practices and lessons learned from around the world, which have been supplemented by explanatory comments.
This paper seeks to demonstrate the need and benefit of women-only services across Northern Ireland as well as providing the women’s community and voluntary sector with a tool to lobby for funding as well as to highlight the uniqueness and benefits of women-only services, not just for women but families and the community as a whole.
Housing is one of the most urgent public policy issues in the UK . Our housing system is in crisis and the causes and impacts of that crisis are gendered. The report A home of her own, women and housing shows that housing is unaffordable for women in every English region.
This report by Stonewall exposes the profound impact that discrimination, violence and exclusion is having on trans people’s quality of life in Britain today.
Uses statistics to show the nature of participation of women in Northern Ireland in the labour market.
Summarises the current issues that matter most to local women based on views gathered at the launch of the Women's Regional Consortium in February 2014.
A summary of the the key findings of the larger report covering all local authorities in England.
Minimum wages are often advocated as tools to alleviate poverty as long as they are not set so high that they reduce employment. Because women are more likely than men to work in low paid jobs, minimum wages can also help to reduce the gender pay gap. This study examines how the gender wage gap changed following the introduction of the National Minimum Wage in Ireland in 2000 and the United Kingdom (UK) in 1999.
Gender Stereotypes in Early Childhood: A Literature Review comprises a review of academic evidence on gender stereotyping from 0-7 years old.
In September 2013, the South African Gender at Work (G@W) team initiated a feminist inspired social change process to experiment with the possibility of using an approach that emphasises dialogue and working with multiple and diverse actors to collaborate in creating greater collective impact in relation to violence against women and non-conforming genders.
The social change process was named “Letsema” – an isiSotho word referring to the practice in rural areas where women came together to work the soil. In the context of the social change process initiated by the Gender at Work team, “Letsema” gave meaning to women (and men) coming together to work the soil of creating new and more equal social norms; non-violent relationships between women, men and non-conforming genders andto effect maximum collective impact.
This paper attempts to outline the story of what happened during the Letsema process; what our initial Theory of Change was and what has enabled the changes, what are some of the key outcomes and what this has meant in terms of norm change. Finally we ask now what – where the process is going – what are some of the key challenges we face and what are we learning?
This publication advocates a rethinking of current approaches to addressing sexual harassment and SEA, including that centring survivor voices and understanding their common causes and dynamics is necessary for elimination.
Proposes and details a conceptual framework to set out how equality responsive budgeting can be used within budgetary processes to further assist public authorities in promoting equality of opportunity and good relations.
Summarises the background to women’s representation in politics, outlines the legislative frameworks relevant to women’s representation in the Northern Ireland Assembly and reviews some mechanisms for increasing female representation.
A report on a pilot project seeking to develop a rights based approach to women's empowerment.
Gender differences in the impact of Irish budgetary policy over the last decade can be traced back to the fact that women are more likely than men to be lone parents, to be out of the labour force and to benefit from child-related supports.
This brief presents headlines of UN Women’s analysis of Twitter data on the use of the hashtag #MeToo in different countries between 2017 and 2019. The analysis provides global data on engagement with the movement on Twitter by region; a list of some regional or language-specific hashtags by country; and a list of most commonly used terms alongside the #MeToo hashtag. Conclusions are drawn on the ways in which social media contributed to the movement by allowing people to express their thoughts and ideas concerning sexual harassment.
Examines current progress towards action plan commitments at the mid-term point of the Gender Equality Strategy.
The paper summarises statistics on gender representation in decision-making positions in Northern Ireland.The statistics are set out in simplified tables to offer an at-a-glance view of gender and power in Northern Ireland.
Women are disproportionately in low‐paid work compared to men so, in the absence of rationing effects on their employment, they should benefit the most from minimum wage policies. This study examines the change in the gender wage gap around the introduction of minimum wages in Ireland and the United Kingdom (U.K.). Using survey data for the two countries, we develop a decomposition of the change in the gender differences in wage distributions around the date of introduction of minimum wages. We separate out “price” effects attributed to minimum wages from “employment composition” effects. A significant reduction of the gender gap at low wages is observed after the introduction of the minimum wage in Ireland, while there is hardly any change in the U.K. Counterfactual simulations show that the difference between countries may be attributed to gender differences in non‐compliance with the minimum wage legislation in the U.K.
This report by Plan UK provides an initial overview and analysis of some of the wider issues facing girls during the pandemic, with recommendations for action. However, much more research into the impact of the pandemic on girls is urgently needed, with specific attention given to girls who are the most marginalised and least heard.
The European Commission is committed to tackling discrimination and promoting equality for transgender people. To further this objective, the European Commission’s department responsible for justice, consumer rights and gender equality (DG Justice and Consumers) commissioned and supervised this study. The research focused on the position and experiences of trans people in education, employment and later life, as well as their interactions with Legal Gender Recognition (LGR) procedures and their experiences of coming out. It also considered the impact of discrimination that trans individuals can face throughout their lifetime.
NWC's pre-budget submission makes the case for a feminist economic recovery plan to build a society that is better for both women and men - a plan that is based on public services, fair taxation, valuing the care economy, equality and sustainability. We propose solutions on investment and revenue raising, gender and equality budgeting, work and welfare, pensions, universal basic services, violence against women, access to justice, participation and decision making and a green new deal.
Brings together qualitative research into women’s experience of violence in Northern Ireland.
This report by Plan International explores the perfect storm of discrimination faced by girls with disabilities.
Paper from the Lancet Medical Journal looking at the link between Domestic Violence and quarantine measures in response to Covid-19.
Summary of the National Women's Council Ireland's Feminist Recovery Plan.
Describes the role of women living in disadvantaged communities and details the barriers that make it difficult for women to fulfil their potential or participate fully in society.
Comprises an audit of the work of WSN members in Europe.
new resource for women and women's groups working for change at local level in Plain English
The Women's Policy Group has put together a Feminist Recovery Plan.
This report, a joint effort between The Fawcett Society and Starling Bank, considers these changing roles, behaviours and attitudes in the context of financial decision-making within the home. Drawing from survey data, focus group findings and existing evidence, the report sets out how couples living together make decisions about their finances. Spanning day-to-day expenses to significant financial commitments, we show how, in couples where women live with a male partner, men and women are dividing up these household roles and responsibilities and the impact of this on their time and wellbeing.
A timeline of the annual celebration and protest.
Puts fowards the findings of a conference on global feminism.
Reviews the condition of gender equality and empowerment of women/girls in the UK in respect of UN member state sustainable development goals.
A graphical timeline of gender equality in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Women for Changewas a National Women’s Council of Ireland initiative in response to the fact that there is little funding available to support training for women involved in, or interested in getting involved in, work to promote equality and social change.
Programme for Government from the National Women's Council of Ireland saying there can be no going back and calling on the new Government to significantly invest in public services and infrastructure to build on the response to COVID 19.
ince 2014, Oxfam America and Gender at Work (G@W) have worked in partnership to implement the Gender Action Learning (GAL) Process in Ghana, Senegal, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Using the Most Significant Change (MSC) methodology, we have been able to reflect and learn about how change around gender justice happens on an individual, organizational and community levels. The last stages of this project were implemented in May 2016
The report by Women's Aid shows how domestic abuse has worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. It examines the impact on survivors and their children; how abusers use the pandemic as a tool of abuse; and how the services supporting survivors are affected.
Report by WUNRN looking at how Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) is being implemented in urban planning.
The WPG raised concerns with the Department for Communities regarding the gendered impact of Covid-19 and has received a reply from the department offering assurances that they are working to put in place measures to protect the vulnerable and outlining steps already taken.
A report by Plan UK looking at how the UK can use its position in the world to improve gilrs rights globally.
2019 report on girls choices in Benin, Togo and Uganda.
Report by UN Women detailing the financial implications of women gaining equality within family structures.
This paper presents a costing analysis for a set of family-friendly services and transfers: income protection for children, people of working age, and older persons; universal health coverage; and early childhood care and education and long-term care services. The social protection and care policies that are included in the costing have enormous significance for families and broader society, and their implementation would have particularly important impacts for women, since they are over-represented among those without income security, they face specific life course contingencies, and they take on a highly disproportionate share of unpaid care work.
Article examining the oppresive nature of gender roles.
A series of demands on gender equality issues, directed at local descision makers.
This paper sets gender in the context of both policy and practice, providing challenges to gender based work with young women and young men, as well as providing recommendations for policy developments in helping young people to understand and challenge the impact that gender has upon their lives.
Created by UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, the HeForShe solidarity movement for gender equality provides a systematic approach and targeted platform where a global audience can engage and become change agents for the achievement of gender equality in our lifetime. This requires an innovative, inclusive approach that mobilizes people of every gender identity and expression as advocates and acknowledges the ways that we all benefit from this equality. HeForShe invites people around the world to stand together as equal partners to craft a shared vision of a gender equal world and implement specific, locally relevant solutions for the good of all of humanity.
Report by UN Women on the progress of gender equality in families.
This paper begins by presenting an overview of the latest research on cash transfers, gender protection, and empowerment outcomes. It continues by discussing some of the programme design features to consider when seeking to improve gender outcomes. Finally, the paper concludes with a set of research questions that can help shape future research and practice in this area.
Reviews the representation of women in positions of power in Northern Ireland and examines a selection of recent policy developments with regard to their impacts on women
Information for individuals on how to organise an event and network to explore how men can be allies in the process of gender equality.
Report by UN Women on the progress of gender equality within families.
A report by the UN looking at advancements in women's equality with regard to child custody
Men dominate every sector of politics, public life and business. Parity for women in most areas of public life appears to be decades away. The picture is even worse for women of colour – who are simply missing altogether from the highest levels of many sectors.
However, the 2019 general election shows change is possible and that a willingness to intervene can bring parity for women. For the first time, women MPs are in the majority in the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties. Women of colour were also elected in greater numbers – now making up 17% of women MPs, in line with the population as a whole. Now is the time for all sectors to actively work towards enabling women in all their diversity to reach positions of power.
Aruna Rao looks at how change is happening through the daily grind of gender equality activists. She argues that in order to achieve basic development objectives we need both better delivery and better accountability for a range services to women – not just education and health, but also agricultural extension, land registration and property protection, regulation of labour markets, and safety. She also argues that institutional insiders and outsiders need to support each others’ different but complementary roles as change agents
this publication provides some interim results from 'More In Common' research relating to COVID-19 and community in Britain – from the latest round of surveys and conversations that we’ve held with people across the country in recent weeks. The fieldwork for this research was conducted by YouGov from June 19-28, 2020
Contains concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of the UK from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
A guide to best practice on involving women in public consultations.
Guide for creating a gender equal workplace
The paper provides a basis to review the barriers, risks, and opportunities related to gender and the accessibility and utilization of digital finance, and to help identify pathways that could be leveraged for potential impactful investment returns for women.
Evidence submitted to the Justice Committee by WRDA in relation to the Domestic Abuse Bill 2020.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) around the world are seen as playing a pivotal role in spotlighting inequities and systemic disadvantage on the basis of multiple and intersecting dimensions, in addressing discrimination in policies and access to services, and in building the awareness and capacities of people to claim their rights, both in public spheres such as law courts, markets and schools, and in private institutions such as households. CSOs are seen as flexible and adaptive to new ideas and learning, important actors in holding power holders to account and effective advocates. Feminist mobilisation in civil society, for example, according to an oft cited global survey of 70 countries, was found to be the most important factor in achieving policy change regarding violence against women, which has now become seen as a global pandemic destroying lives everywhere. Yet passionately fighting for human rights on the outside does not necessarily mean that these same organisations practise inclusion and equity on the inside
The online world can be an inspiring and empowering place for young people. And with the majority of girls and boys having at least one social media account, and spending around five hours using it every day, platforms like Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram are increasingly at the heart of their social lives.
But the internet is far from gender-neutral. Compared to their male peers, girls are feeling increasingly under pressure and facing harassment and abuse online. The result? They’re censoring their posts and even leaving social media altogether, losing their voice in the digital space. That’s why we need to act now, to reclaim the internet for girls.
A report from Plan International.
Includes summaries of speeches, workshop discussions and policy recommendations given at a conference around the theme of bringing a gender awareness to the Shared Future agenda.
Explores the nature of the UK gender pay gap from 1995 to 2007 using data from the British Household Panel Survey.
Seeks to understand why Northern Ireland performs well on measures of the gender pay gap compared to the rest of the UK and examines what can be learnt from this.
This study addresses the percolation and domestication of the United Nations’ “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – Transforming our World” in Germany with a view to understanding its impact on domestic gender equality policies. Concentrating on federal-level policymaking, the main finding of the study is that the 2030 Agenda and SDG 5 have, as of yet, not had a discernible impact on domestic gender equality struggles. This is surprising, since the 2030 Agenda offers a holistic conception of sustainability, and thus has the “value added” advantage of merging and transcending the rather disjointed gender, social justice, and ecological sustainability policy strands.
Creating adequate domestic abuse and violence legislation could not be more pertinent than it is right now. Whilst the quick action to introduce Northern Ireland-specific legislation is to be welcomed, this legislation is now over three years old and it is essential that we learn from the lessons in other jurisdictions and ensure that the women’s sector are included in the application and implementation of relevant legislation moving forward.
Looks at the extent to which EU Member Statesand EEA/EFTA countries have developed gender equality considerations in their policies designed for the active inclusion of vulnerable groups in society. The report provides concrete policy examples across the three pillars of the active inclusion strategy, these being adequate income support, inclusive labour markets and access to quality services.
The network publishes a yearly Journal covering a wide range of topics in the field.
examines the mental health and suicide impact of global recession
We Are Still Here finds that vulnerable asylum-seeking women are still being locked up in immigration detention. This is a hard-hitting, critical report which was widely covered by Sky News, BBC and the Guardian on publication and whose findings have been frequently mentioned in Parliament.
From the moment the pandemic broke, UN Women drew worldwide attention to specific tolls on women and girls. This selection of stories highlights how we and our partners quickly shifted efforts to ensure that women and girls are at the centre of the COVID-19 response.
Assesses the evidence of the impact of the Northern Ireland conflict on mental health and well-being, with particular emphasis on suicide.
Explores the trans-generational impact of the Troubles on mental health
Executive summary of PLAN International's repor on the impact of unpaid care on girls' lives.
The Way Ahead lays out how to build an asylum process which does not rely on detention.
assesses the impact of austerity on the mental wellbeing of women in Liverpool
outlines health inequalities in Northern Ireland between the most and least deprived areas
A leaflet prepared by HereNI discussing fertility options for Lesbian individuals and couples.
Report looking at the impact of the care burden on girls' lives.
There has been very little systematic research into disabled women’s reproductiverights in Scotland. However, qualitative evidence gathered by Engender over anumber of years suggested to us that their reproductive, sexual and maternal healthwas being overlooked by the very systems and services that should have beenenabling their wellbeing
Analyses the Breast and Cervical Screening Programme and Sexual Health for Parents programme delivered by WRDA.
This report, supported by Comic Relief,presents qualitativeand quantitativedata on the emotional health and wellbeingof lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGB&/T) peoplein Northern Ireland. This is the first reportof its kind, as previous work relating to the emotional health and wellbeing of LGB&/T people has been demographic or age specific, focusing on transgenderpeople, women, young people or young men specifically. This data willhelp inform government and service providersonwhat approachesbest meet the emotional health and wellbeingneedsof LGB&/T people in Northern Ireland.
Birthwise surveyed women who gave birth in NI from 2015-2019 and developed recommendations from this data. This document contains the survey questions, analysed results, recommendations and executive summary.
Disabled women’s lives and lived experiences have received limited policy attention in the UK, limited visibility, and limited inclusion in mainstream feminisms and feminist projects. Despite increasing movement towards intersectionality and intersectional agendas, disabled people have remained hidden in myriad ways.
Paper from the Lancet Medical Journal on the importance of sexual and reproductive health during Covid-19.
A report by Plan International assessing the particular impact Covid-19 is having on girls already living in a crisis situation.
Joint NGO submission from National Women's Council Ireland on lone parents and COVID, calling for measures that can be taken now to prevent a rise in unemployment among lone parents, a deepening of child poverty and gender inequality, and a rise in family homelessness.
Examines evidence for interventions to promote gender equality in prevention of violence against women.
presents survey findings on women’s experiences of antenatal and postnatal mental health care.
Executive summary of the Birthwise Maternity Survey. The survey recorded the experiences of self selecting women who gave birth in NI between 2015-2019.
A consultation response on behalf of the Women's Policy Group prepared by the Women's Sector Lobbyist.
Summary of the report by Disabillity Action looking at the specific impact of Covid-19 on disabled people in NI.
Explores the relationship between gender equality, domestic violence and human rights in the Northern Ireland case.
Birthwise surveyed self selecting women who gave birth in NI between 2015-2019. This document lists the recommendations based on the survey results.
Women’s Resource and Development Agency response to 'A New Legal Framework for Abortion Services in NI' Consultation
Report by Disability Action examining the specific impacts on Covid-19 on disabled people in NI.
Examines the relationship between substance misuse and suicide within the context of Northern Ireland.
Increasing evidence is emerging that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) exists within the UK. The aim of this report is to offer a better understanding of this practice within the UK, particularly in relation to human rights. This report provides an overview of the basic elements of FGM –the different types;how widespread it is;the main motivations behind the practice;the health consequences;and how to identify its use. Itsets outthe legal framework that has been setup in the UK to criminalise this practice; it considers thelack of convictions related to FGM in the UK;and it provides examples of good practice for measures that could be taken to help improve implementation of the laws that exist. The report also looks at FGM through a human rights lens, establishing the obligations that the UK has under international and regional human rightslaw in a bid to effectively eradicate the presence of FGM within the UK. It concludes with recommendations to be considered for improving the UK’s approach to eliminating FGM and adhering toits human rightsobligations.
This Care Zone Health Profile has been produced as part of the Care Zone project, which was established as a community development pilot to tackle poor mental health and reduce suicide in the Sacred Heart Parish area in north Belfast. The project is led by the Lighthouse Charity and brings together a number of key stakeholders that operate in the area, including statutory, voluntary and community organisations and local residents. The Care Zone Health Profile has been collated and produced by Belfast Healthy Cities, with input and support from the Department of Education, Department of Health, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Public Health Agency.
Paper from the Lancet Medical Journal on the status of predominately female health care workers.
Examines the impact of loneliness on the well being of older people and potential policy and service interventions to address same.
A report by the Women and Equalities Committee into abortion law in NI. The report recommends the UK Government clarify NI abortion law.
Funding life-saving specialist domestic abuse support services, will cost £393 million per year. This investment would be a fraction of the estimated £66 billion annual cost to society.
This is the finding of Women’s Aid’s latest report, which examines the cost of fulfilling the previous government’s committed to delivering a statutory duty on local authorities to fund refuge services, alongside sustainable funding for wider specialist domestic abuse services.
This document provides a briefing on women's mental health in Ireland. More information and statistics about women’s health can be found in the 2019 report ‘Women’s Health in Ireland - Evidence Base for the development of the Women’s Health Action Plan’ prepared by Dr Kathy Walsh on behalf of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Health Service Executive and the Department of Health.
Attempts to measure social exclusion among older people in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI) and fill critical knowledge gaps.
A discussion note on the potential role of the UK parliament in introducing Abortion reform to NI.
A summary of the Women's Aid report on funding specialist support for domestic abuse survivors.
Investigates the rights of older people in nursing homes in Northern Ireland.
Explores the trans-generational impact of the Troubles on mental health
Discusses the role of the UK Parliament in regards to Abotion in NI.
A report on the conditions in secure training centres for girls (in England) and a discussion on how the girls came to be imprisoned.
Women discuss mental health in their own words.
outlines health inequalities in Northern Ireland between the most and least deprived areas
This briefing paper was commissioned to summarise the key approaches and principles based on the available international evidence,and guidelines that may help inform the decision making and shape and influence aspects of health and social care, as well as some of the contextual factors that affect the lives of asylum seekers and refugees.
PLAN International's report outlining critical areas that need to be addressed to achieve universal sexual and reproductive health and rights.
This report by Plan International explores the perfect storm of discrimination faced by girls with disabilities
examines the effectiveness of current mental health provision in Northern Ireland
2019 report ‘Women’s Health in Ireland - Evidence Base for the development of the Women’s Health Action Plan’ prepared by Dr Kathy Walsh on behalf of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, HSE and the Department of Health.
This research focuses on the impact of domestic abuse and its implications for women in Northern Ireland who offend so that more appropriate responses can be identified and introduced across the criminal justice system
explores how ethnonational conflict in the jurisdiction has adversely impact mental health and wellbeing
A report on the growing issue of people ageing without children in light of government assumptions that families will fill the gaps in social care.
The Department of Health and Social Care has asked the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission to consider reforms to the law of surrogacy in the United Kingdom.Surrogacy is the practice of a woman (who we refer to in this paper as the “surrogate”) becoming pregnant with a child that may, or may not, be genetically related to her, carrying the child, and giving birth to the child for another family (who we refer to as the “intended parents”).This Consultation Paper sets out provisional proposals for, and questions about, the reform of the law of surrogacy.
One page summary of the NWCI report on women's health.
This research concludes that, since 2015, much remains the same for women within and leaving the criminal justice system. Lack of change, alongside steadily increasing numbers being sent to prison requires a more radical review across policy, provision, sentencing and approach.
A manifesto from Plan UK aimed at ending the shame surrounding mestruation and promoting menstrual education.
seeks to measure the mental health impact of ethnonational conflict in the jurisdiction
An overview of the key issues discussed in the full length consultation document.
From One Hell To Another finds that the Home Office is locking up women from China who have been trafficked to the UK, in contravention of its own policies.
Examines the findings of a number of projects examining the associations between jobs, skills and poverty, with a view to identifying ‘sustainable solutions’ to in-work poverty and worklessness.
presents findings on the impact of the United Kingdom recession on suicide rates
This publication presents annual estimates of the percentage and number of people, children,working age adults and pensioners living in low income households in Northern Ireland (NI). The estimates are used to monitor poverty rates in Northern Ireland. The estimates for all individuals in Relative and Absolute Poverty,both before and after housing costs,are included in the Draft Programmefor Government. The data published is for the financial year April 2017to March 2018.
Presents projections of relative and absolute income poverty among children and working-age adults in every year to 2016–17, and in 2020–21. The aim is to estimate the implications for household incomes – and hence, income poverty – of what is known about tax and benefit policy and current forecasts for the macroeconomy.
Analyses data on child poverty and social exclusion in the United Kingdom, presenting a child poverty measurement
explores the relationship between housing and poverty in the United Kingdom
his is a report about the causes of poverty among women and the consequences that poverty has on women’s lives. It is part of a collaboration between the Women’s Budget Group (WBG) and five women’s organisations in Coventry to improve the support they provide disadvantaged women.
To understand the impact of child poverty on the lives of children and families in England better, CPAG, the Child Welfare Inequalities Project (CWIP) and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) conducted a survey of social workers between January and March 2020 to ask them about the experiences of the families they work with. Social workers were asked about the prevalence and severity of poverty among the families they work with; changes to the social security system and cuts to services, and how these changes have affected families; and finally how poverty affects their ability to conduct effective social work with children and families.
Provides an overview of the research evidence on the relationship between poverty and ethnicity in Northern Ireland.
This is a report about the causes of poverty among women and the consequences that poverty has on women’s lives. It is part of a collaboration between the Women’s Budget Group (WBG) and five women’s organisations in Coventry to improve the support they provide disadvantaged women.
A report published in 2019 examining all aspects of poverty in the UK.
Provides the latest data on poverty in Northern Ireland, focusing on associations between poverty, work, disability and age.
Detailed data about household incomes comes with a considerable lag. And while the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) produces economic forecasts for the next five years, these only tell us about averages. In this, our second dedicated Living Standards Outlook, we combine survey data, OBR forecasts, the government’s tax and benefit policies, and more, to project household income growth for different groups.
A report by the NEF into the impact of Austerity on the NI labour market and discussion of the direction of NI’s labour market and economic policy.
Explores children’s experiences of poverty and educational disadvantage and their attitudes to education.
This paper examines the research on current debt levels and the different types of borrowing available with a focus on problem debt and high cost lending especially for those on low incomes. The overall aim of this research project is to explore the perspectives of women living and working in disadvantaged and rural areas of Northern Ireland on why they need to borrow money, where they go get this money and their experiences of using different forms of lending, particularly the more expensiveforms of credit.
This report into the barriers facing women living in disadvantaged areas was commissioned by the Women’s Centres Regional Partnership with funding from the Voluntary and Community Unit of the Department for Social Development. The aim was to carry out a baseline study detailing the position of women in disadvantaged communities, providing analysis of barriers to participation and indicating key policy issues to be addressed.
Domestic abuse is by its very nature a housing issue. This report by Women's Aid examines the housing experiences of survivors of domestic abuse using evidence from Women’s Aid Survivor Voice Survey 2019. It reveals that housing fears are a barrier for many women leaving, and that those who do leave face upheaval and disruption, for themselves and their children, as a result of challenges in finding suitable housing.
Young women living in London face a triple threat of disadvantage, they are more likely to have lost their job, be shouldering unpaid work and experiencing mental ill health. Read more in our report with 4in10.
Domestic abuse is by its very nature a housing issue. This summary of a report by Women's Aid examines the housing experiences of survivors of domestic abuse using evidence from Women’s Aid Survivor Voice Survey 2019. It reveals that housing fears are a barrier for many women leaving, and that those who do leave face upheaval and disruption, for themselves and their children, as a result of challenges in finding suitable housing.
Provides an overview of devolved strategies to tackle child poverty in the UK; builds on earlier work by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation assessing the impact of devolution for low-income people and places; and, looks at what more can be done within existing powers to tackle child poverty.
The Nowhere to Turn, 2020 report provides an insight into what happens to those women who are unable to access refuge services after having to give up their homes to escape abuse. Many survivors supported by Women’s Aid’s caseworkers said that since leaving their home they had faced homelessness whilst looking for refuge space. Just under 40% of survivors had been ‘sofa surfing’ – staying temporarily with friends or family while homeless – and 7% (17 women) had been forced to sleep rough.
Contains headline poverty figures drawn from the latest Households Below Average Income datasets for the period April 2011 up to the end of March 2012.
Summary of the impact of cuts to local authority budgets on women.
A report on the long term impact of the Credit Crunch on yound people entering the work force between 2008-2011. Dr Carole Easton, Chief Executive of the Young Women’s Trust comments on the particular impacts on young women.
The Nowhere to Turn, 2020 report provides an insight into what happens to those women who are unable to access refuge services after having to give up their homes to escape abuse. Many survivors supported by Women’s Aid’s caseworkers said that since leaving their home they had faced homelessness whilst looking for refuge space. Just under 40% of survivors had been ‘sofa surfing’ – staying temporarily with friends or family while homeless – and 7% (17 women) had been forced to sleep rough
Identifies and analyses evidence on the links between gender and poverty and examines the impact of these links on policy approaches.
Report detailing how welfare reform since 2010 has endangered the right to food for the poorest people in the UK.
The first comprehensive review of 12 million data sets looking at the impact of child sponsorship.
Recommendations to achieve a gender equal economy in the general election 2019
Examines in detail what has happened in Northern Ireland since the recession in terms of poverty and social exclusion.
Many analysts agree that the most challenging issue facing the labour market is the quality rather than the quantity of employment. The evidence presented in this Research In Brief however suggests that these headline figures have been masking a more worrying story about the changing nature and quality of employment in Northern Ireland. Specifically, this Research InBrief shows that insecure employment and low pay present particular challenges to improving the quality of jobs and providing decent work for all.
Full report on the analysis of 12 million data sets looking at the impact of child sponsorship.
Looks at the barriers affecting women's access to public and statutory services in rural communities in Northern Ireland.
This leaflet was compliled by Rural Residents' Forum to help explain how rural communities can get their area identified for a rural housing needs test and how individuals can apply for social housing.
Explores the topical issues of rural isolation, poverty and rural community/farmer wellbeing.
Seeks to highlight solutions for telecommunication services within rural areas.
Examines issues of rural mental health, stigma and services in four council districts in Northern Ireland.
Provides DARD statistics on a wide range of rural issues, including agriculture, food, animal health, fisheries and forestry in Northern Ireland.
Case studies of rural women who are making a difference in their communities.
Aims to provide an overview of the main approaches being taken to alleviate rural poverty and increase rural development, as well as exploring whether these approaches have specifically targeted or benefitted rural women.
Snapshots the position of women in rural Northern Ireland on public bodies, voluntary agencies, political representation, etc, to illustrate the low levels of representation in decision making, in the context of the Review of Public Administration (RPA).
Considers issues of gender mainstreaming and the use of focus groups and audits to illustrate understanding and demonstrate current levels of representation.
An indepth exploration of NIRWN's priority areas, Caring responsibilities; Rural Transport; Rural Development; Education and Training of Women; Rural Women, Poverty and the Economy and Social Isolation, Health and Wellbeing.
Contains commitments on rural issues by all Departments and provides a framework for a more integrated approach by the Executive in seeking to address the challenges facing our rural communities.
Provides a picture of the current rural women's infrastructure, their representation in rural community activity and decision making; the level of rural community activity for rural women; and the level of community development skills within the women's sector. Recommendations are made for DARD, Rural Women's Groups Strategy Partnership and Rural Community Network.
PLAN International's global report on girls and young women in modern slavery.
This booklet has been developed by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership and will provide guidance for how support can be provided by the Mosque Community and how victims can obtain support.
Examines the specialist advice services available to women in the greater Belfast area.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the local public procurement and tendering landscape.
A leaflet prepared by HereNI discussing coming out to your friends and family.
The Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin is a quarterly bulletin containing information on new housing starts and completions, homelessness, the NI House Price Index and new house sales and prices.
Case for making misogyny an independent offence in Scotland
A pack by Restored looking at how domestic abuse can be challenged in the context of Christian Communities.
This policy brief by the UN Secretary-General explores how women and girls’ lives are changing in the face of COVID-19, and outlines suggested priority measures to accompany both the immediate response and longer-term recovery efforts.
UN system support for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls remains critical. As this report makes clear, urgent, sustained, and coordinated action by the UN system is needed to safeguard gender equality gains and advance women’s rights and the well-being of women and girls everywhere.
Offers a profile of advice and support service provision in women’s centres within greater Belfast.
This is the first report to study transphobic hate incidents in Northern Ireland, the effect such incidents have on trans individuals and the issues that might constrain trans persons from reporting such incidents to the PSNI. The core focus of the report has been to give a voice to the views, opinions and experiences of trans individuals in relation to hate crime and the way in which experiencing a transphobic incident impacts one‟s perception of safety and also one‟s emotional, physical and psychological well-being.
This brief highlights emerging evidence of the impact of the recent global pandemic of COVID-19 on violence against women and girls. It makes recommendations to be considered by all sectors of society, from governments to international organizations and to civil society organizations, in order to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, at the onset, during, and after the public health crisis, with examples of actions already taken. It also considers the economic impact of the pandemic and its implications for violence against women and girls in the long term.
A global restructuring plan in light of Covid-19 created by the feminist peace activist network, Code Pink.
Captures a snapshot of women's perceptions of the demand for and the actual/potential role of community-based women-only advice in the context of ongoing austerity and associated poverty.
This report was produced by The Fawcett Society and global law firm Hogan Lovells.
How a culture of stigma and silence have turned periods into a hidden public health issue.
The Belfast Domestic & Sexual Violence Partnership has developed a leaflet on financial abuse – what is it, how to recognise it, and how to break free from it.
The guide includes vital information on legal options, managing debt, and what to do once you leave an abusive partner.
The future is digital and girls must be in it, but harassment online and a lack of rights is driving them away.
Manifesto put together by coalition of 29 organisations striving for gender equality and women’s human rights.
Plan from the Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women.
A booklet helping venues design and understand gender neutral toilet signs.
The evidence is unequivocal that the first 1,001 days of a child’s life, from pregnancy to age two, lay the foundations for a happy and healthy life. Over 200,000 babies were born when lockdown was at its most restrictive, between 23rd March and 4th July. Our survey suggests that the impact of COVID-19 on these babies could be severe and may be long-lasting.
This new report from Best Beginnings, Home-Start UK and the Parent-Infant Foundation, reveals the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 and subsequent measures on those pregnant, giving birth or at home with a baby or toddler. For generations, no other group of parents has had to navigate pregnancy, birth and beyond under such extraordinary circumstances.
The National Women's Council of Ireland's manifesto for the 2019 European elections.
The executive summary from the annual wide ranging survey by Parenting NI
The full report from Parenting NI's annual wide ranging survey.
The criminal justice system does not exist free of context, existing gendered stereotypes are still a pervasive force across all areas of the criminal justice system whether that be in the prevention, in investigation and arrest, the decision to prosecute, during bail hearings, at trial, during sentencing or post sentence of a crime. This submission makes recommendations on the integral role a gendered analysis should play in the Criminal Justice Sectoral Strategy.
An analysis of Islamic Feminism from the QUilliam Foundation.
A statement from The Religious Institute outling a faith based case to support women's right to choose.
Briefing on the impact of the issues outlined in the UK Government Brexit risk report on women.
A resources signposting article created by 'Christian Feminism Today' for people who want to explore the nexus of christianity and feminism.
A report by Housing For All NI proposing an action plan for dealing with homelessness among destitute asylum seekers in NI.
A review carried out by Queen's University Belfast on behalf of the Department of Justice looking at the impact of 2014 criminalisation of payment for sex.
The third report by Criminal Justice Inspection NI on the topic of how cases of domestic violence and abuse are handled.
Department of Justice review of the report by QUB on the impact of the criminalisation of payment for sex.
A four year eveluation of the Muslim Women's network UK helpline.
In the world of feminist activism, the time is ripe for reflection and review. We need to ask why change is not happening, what works, and what is next. This article points to the fact that while women have made many gains in the last decade, policies that successfully promote women’s empowerment and gender equality are not institutionalised in the day-to-day routines of State, nor in international development agencies. We argue for changes which re-delineate who does what, what counts, who gets what, and who decides. We also argue for changes in the institutions that mediate resources, and women’s access, voice, and influence. We outline key challenges, as well as ways to envision change a n d strengthen the capacity of State and development organisations to deliver better on women’s rights.
Report by TEllMAMA into the gendered nature of islamophobic attacks.
A leaflet prepared by Youth Action.
A summary of the Criminal Justice Inspection NI third report on how cases of domestic violence and abuse are handled.
A report on the prevalence and types of sexual harassment in the UK.
Summary of the review into the impact of the criminalisation of sex in NI.
A report by Housing4All looking at the human rights abuses faced by people seeking asylum particularly in relation to housing.
Brief summary of PLAN International's report on sexual harassment in the UK.
This study shows that COVID-19 has unleashed hopes for change, especially in countries that have struggled most with the virus. It has also made us more aware of our shared humanity, of the value of strong local communities, and of the importance of our connection to nature.
Women who have come to the UK to seek safety are instead being made homeless, hungry and vulnerable to abuse. ‘Will I ever be safe?’ is the largest recent research into how asylum-seeking women in the UK who are made destitute survive (with no access to statutory housing, financial support or right to work).
this resource was developed by the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) following engagement with women through our Women for Change project. This resource was made possible by the support of the Training Links Fund through the Department of Education and Science.
Explores the nature of the uptake of benefits by pensioners in Northern Ireland.
An assessment of the cumulative impact on single mothers of 2010-15 tax and benefit reforms.
A report by the Women's Budget Group looking at how sspects of the social security system undermine the UK Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill.
Explores the impact of austerity-driven cuts on different population cohorts.
Explores the impact of austerity on the everyday lives of families in the United Kingdom.
This is a summary of a report from the Women’s Budget Group, Surviving Economic Abuse and the End Violence Against Women coalition, supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Universities of Bristol and Strathclyde.
Explores how the social housing sector might ‘address poverty and help prevent tenants from moving into problematic debt and rent arrears’, in the context of welfare reform and wider austerity.
Assesses the impact of austerity on low income households in the United Kingdom.
Article by the Trussell Trust looking at how Universal Credit can make it harder for women to leave abusive relationships.
Analyses the impact of the financial crisis on women, including lone parents, migrant women, young women and older women, with a particular focus given to pensions, welfare reform, debt and credit, housing, and energy debt. Includes a summary of policy recommendations for each government department.
Explores the effects of cuts in welfare expenditure on social landlords and tenants.
Examines the impact of austerity on inequality across Europe.
Examines the cumulative impact of welfare changes on women in Scotland.
Examines the impact of austerity in the housing sector across EU member states.
Outlines the Northern Ireland specific impacts of the summer budget 2015 for benefit claimants (including tax credit claimants).
Summarises research on the impact of austerity on lone parents’ everyday lives.
Outlines the anticipated impact of proposed welfare reforms on the Northern Ireland economy.
Explores the impact of welfare reform on Northern Ireland, including on pre-existing poverty.
A report on the impact of welfare reforms in NI.
A report by leading academic Professor Sylvia Walby, UNESCO Chair in Gender Research, and Jude Towers at Lancaster University, raises concern about the implications of public expenditure reductions for the provision of local violence against women services.
Examines a range of quantitative and qualitative data and analysis on the impact of UK austerity measures on women.
Considers the cumulative impact of spending cuts and other austerity initiatives on vulnerable groups of women in Liverpool.
Examines how the poorest families in the United Kingdom have been affected by benefit cuts.
Examines the projected cumulative impact of tax and benefit reforms on Northern Ireland households.
Reviews ‘the impact of changes in the structure of employment and pay on income inequality and poverty’.
Explores the gender impact of cuts to jobs, services and welfare.
Considers the impact of austerity cuts on some of the most vulnerable in Camden.
Examines the impact on household income distribution in the United Kingdom of recent tax, tax credit and benefit reform.
Explores women’s accounts of their own experiences of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The study is based on global desk research and case study focus on Bangladesh, Jordan, Nigeria, and Somalia (including field visits to Somalia and Bangladesh), and ascertains existing funding flows—and the impact of any shortfall—to GEEWG in humanitarian action, including the levels of funding requested, funding received, and the consequences of the funding gap.
Social justice movements are able to generate deep and lasting changes that policy change and development interventions alone cannot achieve. However, in many cases, women’s rights and gender justice remain low on the priorities of movements, even when women are active members. This article offers a preview of three case studies developed as part of the BRIDGE Cutting Edge programme on gender and social movements, which aims to inspire and support the inclusion of gender equality principles and practices in social justice mobilisation. The case studies feature the global human rights movement (with a focus on Amnesty International), the CLOC-Via Campesina movement in Latin America, and the Occupy movement in the United States. We summarise some of the strategies each social movement has used to encourage the integration of women’s rights and gender justice in both internal and external-facing work; discuss some of the challenges that the movements have faced in implementing these strategies; distil common lessons from the three experiences; and end by suggesting some prerequisites for positive gender transformation in social justice movements
Beginning with a discussion on what confidence building is about and examples of women’s participation therein, this report summarizes key aspects of the discussion that took place and offers preliminary recommendations for further research and action.
Explores the participation of women in dealing with the past within post-conflict society, focussing on the Northern Ireland case.
Supported by a bursary from NI-CO, the TWN Policy and Research Officer went to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5-9 November 2007 to make connections with organisations working in the area of gender equality and to investigate comparisons between the post-conflict contexts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Ireland in terms of women’s empowerment.
Article by Italian Feminist group, F COME, exploring the connections between food and femininity and the history of female uprising.
ECNI's submission to CEDAW.
Reprot by WUNRN (Women's UN Report Network) looking at Custormary and Informal Justice Systems. CIJS resolve 80% of disputes in the developing world but are often skewed against women, favoring male-dominated structures, patriarchal values, and discriminatory and harmful outcomes for women.
The ‘Call to Action: Now and the Future, COVID-19 and Gender Equality, Global Peace and Security’ paper from GAPSUK addresses the deeply gendered impact of COVID-19.
Draws on the experiences and differences that women went through alongside their male counterparts during the conflict in Northern ireland and examines the needs of women today in our post-conflict society.
An analysis of the effectiveness of women's participation in the NI peace process.
The goal of this project was always to produce a Women’s Charter for Change, and to do this by having a cross-community group of women in North Belfast to work together to produce it. The Charter itself was designed to look at some of the most entrenched issues in society here; issues around cultural expression and shared space, and to chart a way forward – lessons we can use to build a toolkit that can be adapted and used in different circumstances and in different places.
Assesses how far the promises of the Belfast Agreement have been achieved in providing the necessary resources to meet the needs of victims and places women within the context of the victims sector.
Research aiming to map individual women's experiences of violence in NI.
Think Tank article about the challenge to traditional politics by young feminists.
Investigates women's role in peacebuilding. Debates relating to innate passivity in women, socialisation processes, differential impact of conflict and coincidental factors are explored. Notions of civil society are also examined and how women are included (or not) in the theory.
Looks at the key instruments, initiatives and activities related to UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, with particular focus on Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Explores and highlights the difficulty that the notion of ‘Forgiveness’ poses in attempting to accept and resolve issues about historical events, such as those that occured during the Northern Ireland conflict. The report itself has been a result of a close working partnership between TWN, The Institute of Governance (QUB), The Forgiveness Project and various community, victim and voluntary groups across the Northern Ireland.
This peace monitor report, the fifth in a series of monitors, highlights the challenges facing our peace and political processes in the honest and comprehensive way that is needed for all people who can influence for the better going forward. The challenges are significant, and overcoming them will be more exhausting still because they exist in a political vacuum.
An article from the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy updating readers on the Migrant Crisis.
A report by the Fawcett Society looking at how women's inclusion in devolved structures could be improved.
Offers local decision makers guidance on how best to incorporate the views of women into peacebuilding and the development of policy.
The Women’s Resource and Development Agency carried out this research to give voice to women in North Belfast, by capturing their lived experiences and how they individually, their families, their communities, and in turn, their geographical and cultural relationships have been affected.
Discussion of the need for a shared vision as a means to unite a fractured society.
This paper is a summary report on the findings and recommendations of the Reclaiming the Bonfires project.
A booklet providing a useful overview of reports and programmes in this area.
This article focuses on the role of women in the negotiations leading to Colombia’s peace agreement, recognized as history’s most inclusive peace deal internationally.
The starting point for our approach to organisational transformation is the idea that a holistic view of human experience demands attention to four interconnected domains.
measures progress in gender equality across the European Union
Women’s Aid NI is committed to being the best we can be for children and young people – we believe they deserve the best. We want to provide a safe place for every child and young person who uses our services, a place where they can get support without stigma. We want to provide high quality services, informed by children and young people that effectively respond to and meet their needs. We want the experience of Women’s Aid NI to be positive, supportive and one they will remember for the rest of their lives. We are also committed to creating social change and to empowering and supporting everyone to play their role to make a difference for all children and young people, because our belief is that everyone can do something.
Foyle Women's Information Network's September newsletter featuring a poem about Mo Mowlam.
A women's Manifesto for the 2019 General Election
What decades of advocacy on climate change could not do, COVID-19 has done. Motivated by terror of an invisible but deadly enemy, millions of people have withdrawn from public spaces. Buses, trucks and cars have disappeared from our streets. Airports and train stations are silent and empty. Shops and markets are closed. Construction is at a standstill. Only bare essentials like food and medicines are being bought and sold. Factories have been shut down indefinitely. As a result, power and water consumption have fallen steeply from their normal levels. Our collective carbon footprint has shrunk to half of what it was just a few weeks ago. The air is cleaner and the skies are blue again
Article by Italian Femnist group, F COME, introducing the concept of environmental feminism.
Relays women’s experiences of community service placements in three women’s centres in Northern Ireland.
Sets out the findings of a 2013 NICVA member survey examinning issues affecting the sector including bureaucracy, charity registration and the introduction of automatic pension enrolment.
A summary of the latest predictions regarding the impact of Brexit on NI.
explores the relationship between Brexit and Northern Ireland
Blog post from SafeLives exploring disabled women's experience of domestic violence.
Presents the findings of a pilot Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis of two programmes within two different organisations, Ardoyne Women’s Group and Women’s Information Northern Ireland (formerly Women’s Information Group).
A series of demands on gender equality issues, directed at local descision makers. Issues covered include childcare, education, equality law and violence against women.
A guide on the issue intended for employers. Includes a sample workplace policy.
Penal practices in Northern Ireland are fashioned around the legacy of civil unrest and the imprisonment of politically affiliated prisoners. Women represent a small percentage of the prison population, and most are sentenced for minor ‘offences’, including non-payment of fines. Women exiting prison share histories of severe social exclusion and complex unmet needs in relation to housing, employment, income, education, training, and mental and physical health. Recently,the introduction of a strategy for the management of women who offend, gender specific standards for working with women prisoners and the establishment of the probation-led Inspire Women’s Project, have marked an acknowledgement of women’s penality by the Department of Justice. This paper draws upon primary qualitative research data on women’s resettlement experience in Northern Ireland to consider the correlation between gender responsive measures and the increasing criminalisation and imprisonment of severely disadvantaged and marginalised women. It explores the failure of gender responsive initiatives to reduce the Northern Ireland female prison population, it examines professional discourse which privileges the responsibilisation of women and the language of choice and reflects upon the up-tariffing of women on the basis of their unmet need rather than the seriousness of their offending.
Analyses the findings of a pilot Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis of three programmes in three Belfast women’s centres.
considers how Brexit might potentially threaten working women’s rights.
A report by the Human Rights Commission on Women in NI prisons.
critically examines the different ways in which Brexit may potentially impact the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland adversely, proposing corrective action to help address same.
A summary of the work of the Foyle Women's Information Network.
This report by the Women's Budget Group explores the key gendered impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on women in the UK, with a focus on the city of Coventry.
Seeks to provide all stakeholders with the purpose, direction and vision to take the NW women’s sector forward in a meaningful and co-ordinated fashion.
Article by the New Economics Foundation looking at the gendered impacts of climate change and what a move to a zero carbon economy would mean for women
University of Wisconsin paper looking at potential feminist responses to climate change
A summary of the October work of the Women's Resource and Development Agency
In May 2020 the Women's Regional Consortium conducted a survey to collect evidence on the impact of Covid-19 and the resulting 'lockdown' on women's groups and organisations.
This report explores the key gendered impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on women in the UK, with a focus on the city of Coventry.
Aims to create comptetitive, connected, creative and caring L'Derry for everyone.
Identifies the social and economic development activities and good practice in the work of eight women’s centres.
Reviews evidence and data on housing and communities’ inequalities for groups associated with each of the section 75 equality grounds of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Report on women's opinions about Brexit. The report also looks at the possible gendered impacts of Brexit.
Analysis of a survey conducted by QUB into attitudes to Brexit in NI.
A summary of the work of the Women's Resource and Development Agency in Nov/Dec
This is the rightup of a survey of the members of the seven partners making up the Women's Regional Consortium. The survey was concluded in April 2020.
Explores sustainability in community based women’s sector, presenting toolkit on same.
Asks whether money is a cause of fundamental differences in children’s outcomes.
Explores policy approaches to framing the issue of ‘peace walls’ and issues around the Executive’s ambition to remove all such interface barriers by 2023.
A summary of the larger report 'Brexit: Women's Perspectives'. This summary looks at the major concerns women have regarding Brexit and lays out the WRC's recommendations for mitigation.
Cases were identified from the helpline database where Muslim female service users had come into contact with criminal justice institutions such as the police, crown prosecution service or judiciary and the responses they received were insufficient or inadequate. These cases are analysed of examined for how the criminal justice system responds to Muslim women who have been victims of violence and abuse and whether they are ‘getting justice’ and what factors are contributing to any ‘justice gap.’
Summarises findings of SROI pilot projects on programmes in Belfast women’s centres and WINI.
Explores research evidence on a wide range of social issues related to poverty.
Critically evaluates recent government delivery on children’s rights.
Three themes emerged as key factors to ensure engagement of women from disadvantaged and rural areas in the Community Planning process.
A round up of the work of the Women's Resource and Development Agency in August
Summary of the report from Muslim Women's Network UK into the impact of poor service in the Criminal Justice System.
This publication explains how the concept of intersectionality can help policy makers, lawyers and sociologists to approach discrimination and social inequalities from a systemic and structural perspective, but also to capture discrimination patterns which tend to be invisibilised or overlooked in the current legal and policy frameworks for anti-discrimination.
Outlines strategies for equality bodies to enable lesbian, gay and bisexual people to secure their rights under equality law.
Explores the role public policy ‘should play in supporting progress on a living wage’.
WRDA's response to DSD consultation "Charities (Accounts & Reports) Regulations 2015", October 2015
The loss of jobs in sectors dominated by women will have a devastating impact of families, especially those headed by single mothers or where women are the primary or co-breadwinner. One in two of more than 30 million families in the U.S. with children under the age of 18 have a breadwinner mother, who contributes at least 40 percent of the earnings to the household.
A summary of the report by the European Network Against Racism.
explores the relationship between Brexit and Northern Ireland
Report by the Muslim Women's Network UK into how Muslim women can be included equally in recruitment.
The UK Government has made steps towards lifting the coronavirus lockdown, signalling a move to the next phase of the national response to the pandemic. But with women making up a small minority of those involved in decision-making, gendered perspectives are being missed. This does not just risk inequalities - it means that the likelihood of us ending the lockdown successfully will be undermined.
Offers a brief history of women’s contribution to Belfast, with individual biographies of notable women.
sets out the United Kingdom government’s position on Brexit and Northern Ireland and Ireland
explores the potential impact of Brexit on low-income households
explores the potential implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland
A gender audit of the manifestos of the main parties for the 2019 General Election
WBG has set out it’s concern about the impact of Brexit, particularly a no deal Brexit, in multiple reports1and briefings2since 2017. Based on our analysis WBG has concluded that Brexit will have a damaging impact on the UK economy, with a ‘hard Brexit’, likely to be the most damaging3. Although the Brexit deal proposed by Boris Johnson avoids some of the most catastrophic impacts of no deal, it represents a very ‘hard’ version of Brexit. It rules out a new customs union and a close relationship with the single market. For many women, particularly the poorest, black and minority ethnic (BAME) women and disabled women, this could mean job losses, cuts to services, squeezed family budgets and reduced legal protections.
Based on preliminary data collection, surveys and meetings that UN Women had with more than 30 women-led organizations and woman leaders in the West Bank and Gaza, the report warns that the pandemic is expected to disproportionately affect women, create and exacerbate pre-existing gender-specific risks and vulnerabilities and widen inequalities.