07/09/2026
We were delighted to bring together PEACEPLUS partners, project leads, policymakers and sector experts for PEACEPLUS Allies for Change: Prevention, Partnership and Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The event explored the role we can all play in helping to end violence against women and girls and create communities where everyone can feel safe and be safe.
Participants heard from an impressive line-up of speakers, including Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan TD, internationally recognised allyship advocate Lee Chambers, ACC Davy Beck (PSNI), Sonya McMullan (Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland), alongside SEUPB CEO Gina McIntyre, SEUPB Director of Managing Authority Declan McGarrigle, Fionnuala French from The Executive Office and Dr Siobhan McAlister from Queen’s University Belfast.
Violence against women and girls remains a challenge that affects every community. Through PEACEPLUS, projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties have an opportunity to support prevention, challenge harmful attitudes and contribute to safer, more inclusive communities.
Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of SEUPB, said: "Creating peaceful and inclusive communities is about more than addressing division between communities. It is equally important that we address harm that exists within communities, within relationships and in everyday life. Violence against women and girls continues to have a profound impact across our society and ending it requires prevention, education, cultural change and people who are prepared to act as allies for change. PEACEPLUS is about building a more peaceful, prosperous and stable society, and that includes creating communities where women and girls feel safe, respected and able to participate fully in community life. We must support our young men and boys to understand the significance of their role in harnessing this problem.
“Our funded projects are already making valuable contributions through prevention, resilience, inclusion and community wellbeing initiatives. By working together, sharing knowledge and taking positive action, we can strengthen our collective commitment to creating safer, more inclusive communities across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland."
