Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence against women and girls is a systemic and deep-rooted problem in our society. It is a problem that is hidden in plain sight, and every day, we see how it affects the lives of women and girls, wherever they learn, live, and work.

The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategic Framework will address the whole range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender inequality. 

Read the EVAWG Strategic Framework (PDF, 1 MB) (opens new window)

Let's work together to create a changed society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence, abuse, and harm, including the attitudes, systems, and structural inequalities that cause them.

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: The Change Fund 

The Change Fund will help to mobilise grassroots action, support innovative delivery, and maximise the impact of community-led initiatives that contribute to the prevention outcomes of the EVAWG Strategic Framework.

These are:

Outcome 1: Changed attitudes, behaviours, and culture - Everyone in society understands what violence against women and girls is, including its root causes, and plays an active role in preventing it.

Outcome 2: Healthy, respectful relationships - Everyone in society is equipped and empowered to enjoy healthy, respectful relationships.

Outcome 3: Women and girls are safe and feel safe everywhere - Organisations and institutions across government and society embed the prevention of violence against women and girls in all that they do, so that women and girls are safe and feel safe everywhere.

For more information, please explore the information and resources below.

EVAWG: Change Fund Grant Programme 2025-2026 (Currently Closed)

Tier 1: grants between £1,000 and £5,000

Tier 2: grants between £5,001 and £15,000

Tier 3: grants between £15,001 and up to £25,000

Funding applications open on Thursday 6 March 2025 and close on Thursday 3 April at 4pm.

View Guidance notes: Guidance Notes and Criteria (PDF, 362 KB) (opens new window)

View application form: Change Fund Application Form (Word doc, 204 KB) (opens new window)

For any further enquires please contact EVAWG@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Find out more about our partner organisations

• Kilcooley Women's Centre Kilcooley Women's Centre | Bangor | Social Enterprise
• Nexus Home - Nexus NI
• Onus Domestic violence and abuse training | ONUS Training
• White Ribbon End male violence against women
• Women's Aid North Down & Ards Women's Aid Homepage
• YMCA Lisburn - ymca Ireland

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Community Toolkit - Ards and North Down

This Toolkit has been produced as a community resource to address Domestic and Sexual Abuse within our society.

The toolkit aims to provide a comprehensive, practical and accessible resource that helps community focused individuals and organisations to recognise the signs of domestic and sexual abuse, respond appropriately and refer individuals to the necessary support and services.

Read it here: Domestic and Sexual Abuse Community Toolkit- Ards and Down (PDF, 2 MB) (opens new window)

Female Genital Mutilation Resources

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the act of removing all or part of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons (WHO, 2016). FGM is also referred to as female genital cutting or female circumcision. There are no health benefits to the cutting or removal of female genitalia and it is recognised internationally as a human rights violation (Forward, 2016). The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 140 million women and girls globally have experienced it.

Please see resource documents below:

FGM Pathway and Risk Assessment (PDF, 843 KB) (opens new window)

FGM Scoping Study NI (PDF, 7 MB) (opens new window)

Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines on Female Genital Mutilation (PDF, 350 KB) (opens new window)

Honour-based Abuse in the Courts: Shaping Strategy for Key Issues (PDF, 2 MB) (opens new window)

For any further enquires please contact EVAWG@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

The Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) is facilitating the delivery of the Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy in the Borough. For more more information about the PCSP please visit Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) - Ards and North Down Borough Council