There is a need for “urgent” action across Westminster to deal with the “damning” issue of femicide in Northern Ireland.
That was the call from SDLP leader Claire Hanna in Westminster today, where the South Belfast MP highlighted the unprecedent levels of violence against women and girls and called for increased discussion on the problem.
Earlier this week the Belfast Telegraph highlighted the level of violence directed towards women here, with 42 women killed in Northern Ireland in the last eight years.
Northern Ireland currently has the third worst country for femicide in Western Europe.
42 women have been killed in Northern Ireland in the last eight years
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Hanna said: “Recent murders of women have contributed to a femicide rate twice as high as Britain. We need to think very deeply about the society and culture that is manifesting in this way.
“Those damning statistics should give us all pause, but behind them are 42 people who had their own hopes and dreams, before their lives were so cruelly taken from them.”
The ages of women killed here range from 83 years-old to now just 23 months, after a child died violently in Co Tyrone last week.
Toddler Tavia Da Costa, just weeks away from her second birthday, was found in her Dungannon home. Three people have been charged in relation to her death.
Stormont launched their Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) strategy last month in an effort to tackle the crisis.
The seven-year plan aims to draw on preventative measures and make the judicial system take a harder line in its ability to address violence against women.
Ms Hanna also called for cross governmental support on the issue in the House Commons today.
“The Executive strategy was overdue and very welcome and clarity is needed about its funding,” she said.
“This is an issue that demands a cross governmental response, with discussion and behavioural change and in all parts of society, urgently.”
According to the statistics, women and girls are twice as likely to be murdered as a result of domestic violence compared to the rest of the UK.
The PSNI has stated they will be making an effort to contact high-risk domestic violence victims in the coming weeks and urged victims to contact the police.
Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said: “As a Police Service we are all collectively devastated by the recent murders of women in Northern Ireland and we want to send a strong message that violence against women and girls should not and will not be tolerated.”
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