Across Northern Ireland, 335,000 people are living in poverty. They are being failed by a system that should protect them. With no comprehensive Anti-Poverty Strategy, relentless benefit cuts, and ongoing benefit reprofiling—particularly affecting disability support—the most vulnerable are being left behind. In the absence of sufficient government action, it has become the default role of […]
Meet Nicola McGuinness, the newly appointed Animate–Build–Connect (ABC) Programme Co-Ordinator at NIRWN. Nicola is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, confidence-building, and inclusive leadership. With a background in programme development, coaching, facilitation, and supporting women at all stages of their journey, she’s committed to helping women’s groups grow their impact, strengthen their voice, and […]
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is calling on members of the public to take part in a survey launched yesterday which aims to identify what people in Northern Ireland know about the air they breathe. The Air Quality Awareness Survey 2025 consists of 23 questions to see what the public really know about […]
WOMEN’STEC is excited to announce its upcoming Big Lunch community event, taking place on Tuesday 12th August from 12:30pm to 2:00pm at 29 Chichester Avenue, BT15 5EH. The Big Lunch is a brilliant initiative that brings people together over food to celebrate community, friendship, and shared experiences. Hosted by WOMEN’STEC, this event is a chance […]
We were honoured to welcome the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to FWIN. Their visit was an important opportunity to share the work we’ve been doing to eliminate violence against women and girls. It was a powerful and honest conversation – one that acknowledged both the successes we’ve achieved through community-led action, and the challenges that […]
The Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA) is deeply saddened and concerned by the recent events in Ballymena, where the sexual assault of a teenage girl has been hijacked to push a racist agenda instead of fighting violence against women and girls. We stand in unwavering solidarity with the survivor and her family during this […]
The NI Assembly passed the Period Products (Free Provision) Act NI in May 2022, making period products available free of charge to anyone who needs them. Libraries NI now provide free period products in all public libraries (static and mobile) – known as the Free Period Products scheme. A survey has been launched to gather […]
NIRWN’s Executive Director, Louise Coyle alongside sector colleagues met with Lord Paul Murphy who is leading an independent review of the Withdrawal Agreement and its effectiveness. Sense checking with Civil Society and creating the mechanisms with which to do so is critical if we are to thrive post EU Exit. Issues discussed by those in […]
Campaigns: Guarantee our Essentials Siobhán is part of a campaign from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust calling for an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit. The Essentials Guarantee would embed in the social security system a principle that at a minimum Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials. You can read […]
This document details the Minister for Communities’ initial Budget 2025-26 decisions and how they will impact on the Department’s ability to deliver public services. Siobhán hopes to make a detailed response to this consultation. If you have any input to this consultation please contact Siobhán as soon as possible at policy@wsn.org.uk The deadline for comments […]
