Nature is in decline across the world and DAERA has a duty to publish a Biodiversity Strategy to help the conservation of biodiversity in Northern Ireland. This draft Nature Recovery Strategy (which is the Biodiversity Strategy required by legislation) sets out how DAERA intend to meet international and national ambitions in Northern Ireland. The lifespan […]
NIRWN Executive Director Louise Coyle signed the open letter on behalf of our membership of rural women. Women Breaking Barriers rural team Leon Hughes and Jacqui Clancy, together with our Engagement Officer Paula McAliskey joined our urban Project partners WRDA, Women’s Support Network and Reclaim the Agenda on the steps of Stormont recently to stand […]
NI Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 The Northern Ireland Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 aims to improve the lives of people who are Deaf and disabled people, their families and carers so that they can play a full and active role in all aspects of society. There have been some issues around this consultation with some of […]
Women’s Support Network Policy Worker, Siobhán Harding has completed a series of focus groups with women across Northern Ireland for the next Consortium research paper ‘Mental Health Matters for Women’. The focus groups involved 67 women in total and 60 women completed questionnaire returns. The aim of the research was to highlight a number of […]
WOMEN’STEC are absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful to Community Finance Ireland for the generous donation of ten newly refurbished PCs. These amazing new tools will support women across Northern Ireland to build digital skills, confidence, and career opportunities. This fantastic initiative was piloted by Nick Heath from Community Finance Ireland, who worked in partnership with […]
Charmain had the privilege of attending “In the Midst of Trauma – A Collective Journey” at Corrymeela. This was a powerful and deeply reflective space bringing together practitioners who work cross community and cross border on peacebuilding, community relations and trauma-informed practice. Across the day she explored: 🕊️ Trauma-informed and rights-based approaches to peacebuilding 🗣️ […]
Paula represented NIRWN at the All-Party Group on Disability in Stormont where the new Draft Disability Strategy was presented by DfC Minister Gordon Lyons. The Strategy is currently out for consultation and closes at 5pm on Friday 20th March. NIRWN would encourage our members to contribute their views on this document to ensure […]
NIRWN members kickstarted 2026 with our energising workshop ‘Step Into 2026’. Members heard how to explore simple, effective ways for building new habits and staying focused in the year ahead. Thank you to all our members who took the time to take part.
Homelessness is rising in Northern Ireland, with thousands of households presenting as homeless each year. Between April and September 2025 alone, more than 8,200 households reported homelessness. When people are homeless in Northern Ireland, the Housing Associations can place them in temporary accommodation, including hotels and bed & breakfasts, while they wait for social housing […]
WRDA have teamed up with Menstruation Matters to launch a new survey to shed light on the issue of restricted bathroom access in schools across NI. The survey, closing at 5pm on Friday, 13th February 2026, seeks input from pupils, parents, and medical professionals to gather information in the extent and impact of bathroom access restrictions in our […]
