To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Community-led Review on Rural Women and Girls as part of the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan 2024–2026.

Mrs O'Neill

With your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister Reilly will answer that question.

Ms Reilly (Junior Minister, The Executive Office)

Violence against women and girls is an issue that affects all our communities, but we know that rural women and girls often face unique challenges. Often, living far from services and having fewer support options can increase their vulnerability and make it harder for them to get help, protection and justice. Together with the Agriculture Minister, we launched the community-led review on rural women and girls in October 2025. That review is led by the Rural Community Network and the NI Rural Women's Network; two organisations that are embedded in rural communities. The aim of the review is to investigate gender-based violence against rural women and girls through lived experience in order to understand fully the experiences and barriers facing women and girls, as well as the drivers of that violence, abuse and harm. The review will develop practical, rural-sensitive recommendations to shape and improve future policy and practice. The work is progressing well. We will absolutely share the results with you when it has concluded.

Ms Reilly

Yes, absolutely. The second delivery plan will continue to focus on community investment, collaboration and campaigns, in line with the objectives of the strategic framework. That approach will allow us to build on the momentum that we have already established through the first delivery plan. It will ensure continuity and consolidate good practice and lessons learned.

It will allow for the scaling of initiatives that have been proven to be effective. That does not mean that we are complacent. It is a live strategy, and we have to move when we see what is working well, what might not be working well and how to adapt to those things.

The new delivery plan has been informed by feedback from delivery partners that indicated that the current delivery models, particularly around the change fund, seemed to work well. We have also reflected on lessons learned from the first phase. The next delivery plan will be brought to the Executive very shortly, and, as I said, we will keep Members informed when that happens.

Ms Ní Chuilín

Junior Minister, you have already answered part of my question in your answer to Connie Egan. In relation to the second delivery plan and the insight, can you give an update on engagement you have had that has shaped your thinking for the next phase of the work to end the scourge of violence against women and girls in all our communities?

Ms Reilly

In my previous answer, I outlined some of that. If the strategy is to work, it has to reflect the real challenges and issues that face women and girls in our society. That means actively listening directly to women and girls, local service providers and the community and voluntary organisations on the ground. It also means co-designing solutions, rather than just imposing them on people. It is about making sure that funding, outreach models and service delivery are flexible and capable of meeting everybody's needs.

Mrs Cameron

I am sure that the junior Minister agrees that the loss of even one life is one too many. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is clearly an already excruciating experience for family and friends, but waiting periods in the legal system can and do amplify that hurt. What work is being undertaken as part of the ending violence against women and girls strategy with the Department of Justice to address those concerns?

Ms Reilly

I thank the Member for that question, because it reinforces the fact that the ending violence against women and girls strategy is not just about one Department; it needs a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. I absolutely concur with the Member's comments: waiting for long periods is extremely challenging for victims and families, particularly when they are going through the justice system, whether or not that is to do with a conviction. They have already been through a great deal, and delays, particularly in the justice system, further impact on that. We will continue to work closely with the Department of Justice, which sits on the oversight board and gives important feedback, and other Departments to make sure that we put systems in place and that we have the confidence of victims, survivors and the public.

Ms Hunter

Junior Minister, will you outline your Department's recent engagement with organisations such as Women's Aid to ensure that the strategy is having the intended impact on the ground, particularly in the north-west, where gender-based violence is, sadly, so prevalent?

Ms Reilly

Absolutely. I have touched on that continued approach, particularly with the oversight board and departmental colleagues. It is so important that we continually engage with the partners who deliver services on the ground, because our commitment to ending violence against women and girls is for everyone across society. Safety, dignity and access to support cannot depend on a particular delivery partner. We will continue to work closely with communities and delivery partners to shape delivery and make sure that all women and girls, no matter where they live, are protected and supported.