Our growing body of research covers a range of areas and will be regularly added to in future.
Women, Skills and Barriers to Work
Career or care: Women, unpaid caring and employment in Northern Ireland
Download the full research report here.
Research Summary: Women, Unpaid Care & Employment
Download the summary here.
Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis in NI
Women’s Experience of the Cost of Living Crisis in NI [Full Report]
The research shows the Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a grave impact on women, their children, families and communities.
Research Summary: The Impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on Women in Northern Ireland Download the summary here.
Women’s Experience of the Cost of Living Crisis in NI [Summary Leaflet]
This leaflet summarises the main findings of the research.
Quotes from Women’s Regional Consortium Focus Group Research on Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis [an addendum to ‘Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis in Northern Ireland research paper, June 2023]
Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of Living Crisis in NI – Topic Summaries
Related policy documents
September 2022 – Women Living with Debt (Summary)
This is a summary of the research report looking at current levels of personal debt and the vulnerability of those on the lowest incomes to debt.
September 2022 – Women Living with Debt
This paper examines the research on current levels of personal debt and the vulnerability
of those on the lowest incomes to debt. The overall aim of this research project is to
explore the experiences of women on why they need to borrow, the types of credit they use, the impact
of external factors such as the Covid pandemic, changes to social security policy and low
pay as well as the personal impacts of living with debt.
September 2020 – The Impact of Universal Credit on Women (Summary)
This is a summary of the paper which looks at evidence gathered by the WRC to analyse the impact of UC on women.
September 2020 – The Impact of Universal Credit on Women
This paper looks at evidence gathered by the WRC to analyse the impact of UC on women.
February 2020 – Making Ends Meet – Women’s Perspectives on Access to Lending (summary)
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.
February 2020 – Making Ends Meet – Women’s Perspectives on Access to Lending
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.
March 2019 – Impact of Ongoing Austerity: Women’s Perspectives (Summary)
This is a summary version of the report ‘Impact of Ongoing Austerity: Women’s Perspectives’.
March 2019 – Impact of Ongoing Austerity: Women’s Perspectives
This paper examines the research which suggests that austerity and welfare reform policies introduced by the government since the financial crash have had an adverse disproportionate impact on women.
May 2018 – In-work Poverty: Women’s Perspectives
This brief paper explores the perspectives of a group of women living and working in rural and disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland.
October 2017 – Policy Prioritisation for Disadvantaged Women: Women’s Perspectives
This paper explores women’s perspectives on what policies the government should prioritise to address the persistent disadvantage of women in NI.
Download report
October 2017 – Women’s Perspectives on Brexit
This paper explores women’s perspectives on the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU.
Download report
December 2016 – Towards a New Common Chapter – Report of Workshop
The purpose of this workshop was to bring those who have been participating in the Towards a New Common Chapter project together to consider the value of the initiative and whether there is interest in continuing it.
Download report
October 2016 – Austerity and Women’s Mental Health: Women’s Perspectives
This brief paper explores the perspectives of a cohort of women, living and working in deprived and rural areas of Northern Ireland, on the question of the relationship between ongoing austerity, poverty and women’s mental health2 in the jurisdiction.
Download report
November 2016 – Women at the Cutting Edge: The Impact of Spending Cuts on Women’s Community & Voluntary Organisations in NI
The Women’s Resource and Development Agency carried out this research to document how far the cuts have threatened the women’s sector and the vital services provided by it.
Download report
July 2016 – Women – Only Services and their Benefits
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.
Download report
March 2016 – Women Speak Out on Community Planning
April 2016 – Perceptions of Unmet Demand for Community-based Women’s Education and Training
Draws on research carried out during 2014 to identify gaps and unmet needs in education and training affecting women in disadvantaged and rural areas. Multiple engagement events were held with women to gather their views. Email Caroline at WSN to learn more.
Download paper.
April 2015 – Women’s Perception of the Potential Impact of Proposed Welfare Reform
Captures a snapshot of the perceptions of disadvantaged women affected on the proposed introduction of Welfare Reform in Northern Ireland, and the likely impact it will have on their everyday lives. Email Caroline at WSN to learn more.
Download report.
December 2014 – Gender, Poverty, Austerity and Community-based Women Only Advice: Women’s Perceptions
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. We carried out focus group engagement with women living and working in disadvantaged and rural areas, some of whom, as service providers, were directly involved in the delivery of advice to women. Email Caroline at WSN to learn more.
Download report.
September 2014 – Community-Based Women’s Education/Training: Women’s Perceptions of Gaps in Provision
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. Multiple engagement events were held with women to gather their views. Email Caroline at WSN to learn more.
Download report.
May 2014 – Women’s Regional Consortium Launch Report
Summarises the current issues that matter most to local women based on the views gathered at our launch event in February 2014. Also includes an action plan, which we have been using to guide our ongoing work. Email Roise at FWIN to learn more.
Download report.
December 2013 – Report on Bright Start, the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Affordable and Integrated Childcare: A Strategic Framework and Key First Actions
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. Includes a number of recommendations. Women were extensively engaged with so we could accurately reflect their views. Email Caroline at WSN to learn more.
Download report.
