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Date: 5 March 2026
Belfast City Council has organised a series of events this March as part of ongoing work to support the NI Executive in implementing its Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
They include ‘One Step Louder’, a family fun day at Girdwood Community Hub this Sunday 8 March to mark International Women’s Day, with activities and info stalls on services available locally to support women and families, the second ‘Her Safety, Our Responsibility’ lunchtime panel discussion at Walkway Community Centre on Friday 27 March, and targeted events in the south of the city with trainees from the hairdressing and beauty industry on Monday 9, Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 March.
Following on from last year’s successful It’s a Team Effort conference, Belfast sports clubs can register for a free follow-up workshop on Tuesday 24 March at Olympia Leisure Centre to build their skills and become safeguarding champions for both female and male players.
Events are also planned with the city’s culture and arts sector on Wednesday 11 and Friday 27 March, as well as those working to design new public and outdoor spaces on Tuesday 31 March, to look at how these industries can better support women and girls.
An event will also take place at the MAC on Tuesday 31 March, together with Queen’s University and other community partners, to discuss work with men and boys and consider new ways to engage with them in tackling the perceptions and behaviours that can lead to violence against women and girls.
The council has also provided a further £340,000 of funding towards 23 community projects, bringing to 50 the number of local initiatives supported through its Local Change Fund. Among the work supported so far are new theatre productions, workshops for teenagers, training for the city’s LGBTQIA+ and minority ethnic communities, programmes with sports organisations and work with schools and young children.
Free training is also available to help community organisations recognise the signs of domestic abuse and coercive control, and build confidence in how best to provide support.
“Our council is proud to support the NI Executive with this really crucial piece of work and to use our extensive community networks to support organisations in designing solutions and interventions tailored to the individual needs of local communities,” said Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly.
“This is our second year of delivering a programme of area and sector-specific events, alongside targeted training for the community sector, and I’m pleased to see a wide variety of activities planned to engage with the public, showcase the great work already being done and encourage us all to speak up.
“Over 90% of attendees at last year’s events said they felt more confident about supporting others after coming along – so please do take this opportunity to join us at an event, get involved and use your voice to help champion change for everyone in our city.”
Details of all upcoming events, workshops and training available are on the council’s website at belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence