Violence against women at 'epidemic levels' in Ireland — NWC

Women from all communities all the island will gather at the conference over the next two days to discuss the situations. Pic: iStock

The National Women's Council (NWC) have warned that violence against women is at "epidemic levels" in Ireland.

The organisation, who are co-ordinators of a meeting of the All-Island Women's Forum on Wednesday and Thursday in Dundalk, also highlighted  the cost-of-living crisis ,saying it impacts women more than men.

Women from all communities across the island will gather at the forum over the next two days to discuss the situations, with the NWC hoping to build cross-border solutions.

NWC Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation Rachel Coyle said: "The biggest crises facing women on this shared island know no borders. In both jurisdictions, north and south, women work hard to support each other in the face of violence and economic inequality."

At today’s forum, we’re bringing women together in solidarity, to share experiences and to develop cross-border solutions to improve the lives of women across this island.

In May of this year, an NWC and Department of Justice report found that victims of domestic and sexual violence felt "belittled" and were being left in "life-threatening situations"

The report called for a more victim-centred, collaborative approach between the criminal justice process, the private family law process and the public law child care process.

NWC Chair Margaret Martin said: "The All-Island Women’s Forum is a hugely important space for us to connect with each other and stand in solidarity against the challenges that face us as women. I am looking forward to hearing from a range of diverse voices as we explore these challenges together.” 

The Forum has made several recommendations to both the Irish and UK governments, including developing an all-island strategy on gender-based violence, introducing gender quotas for local politics, and improving economic equality.