The Irish FA Foundation is pushing ahead with a major initiative aimed at helping to end violence against women.
To date the foundation has received funding of around £100,000 for the initiative from six councils across Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Football Ending Violence Against Women And Girls project will be delivered through partnership/collaboration between the Irish FA Foundation, Women’s Aid Federation NI, PSNI, football clubs based in the various council areas and Ulster University.
The project is set to utilise the power of football to send a clear message that violence against women and girls is always unacceptable.
James Thompson, Director of Foundation with the Irish FA, explained: “Together we aim to call out the misogynistic and sexist behaviour that underpins violence towards women and girls.
“We will deliver educational content and public awareness that will unite the football community and aim to end violence against women and girls while highlighting the domestic abuse emergency in Northern Ireland.”
Thompson added that football, as the most popular sport in Northern Ireland, has a unique opportunity within the male population to address violence against women and girls.
PSNI and Women’s Aid NI figures show that in 2023-24 a total of 32,763 domestic abuse incidents were recorded in Northern Ireland (the third-highest number since records began) and 19,954 domestic abuse crimes were recorded.
Domestic abuse accounted for 30% of all murders here during 2023-24, with women most likely to be killed by a current or former partner in their own homes, and 80% of offenders in domestic abuse cases were male, reinforcing the need to address harmful male behaviours and attitudes.
By integrating educational workshops, campaigns and active bystander training into the football community, the project will challenge misogynistic attitudes and normalised sexism that contribute to violence against women and girls.
It will also equip men/boys with the tools to recognise and call out abusive behaviours and it will foster a culture of respect, ensuring women and girls feel safe in all spaces, including within football.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has awarded the Irish FA Foundation initiative a grant of £24,860, while funding of around £14,800 per council has been secured from Belfast City Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Mid Ulster District Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The councils backing the initiative have all received funding from The Northern Ireland Executive as part of its wider Ending Violence Against Women And Girls (EVAWG) campaign.
The Northern Ireland Football EVAWG project will be delivered through a combination of workshops, campaigns and interactive sessions.
The workshops and interactive sessions will educate participants about violence against women and girls, its root causes and the role they can play in preventing it.
The aim is for players, coaches, volunteers and fans to develop a deeper understanding of the societal norms, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence.
