Menu
21/03/2024
Call For Education On Violence Against Women And Girls
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has been challenged by the SDLP on the proposed introduction of mandatory education around violence against women and girls in schools.
At a meeting of the Education Committee on Wednesday 20 March, SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter asked the Minister if he believed "all schools should educate young people on the subject".
According to the SDLP, the Minister said that he believed the autonomy of schools should be respected on the issue.
Speaking after the meeting, East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said: "Given the prevalence of violence against women and girls in our society I believe that we must use every lever open to us to deal with this scourge which has left the North one of the least safe places for women in Europe. For years we have been discussing the best way to protect women and girls and the collapse of the Assembly impeded progress on a much-needed strategy.
"Key around addressing this issue will be education in both our schools and universities. If we want to change the way that we approach this then we need to educate people from a young age about what kind of behaviour is and isn't acceptable. We need to provide information and resources so that people can learn about these issues and face them when they occur in their lives. Just last year sexual offences reached their highest level on record – now more than ever preventative education is crucial.
"I was disappointed by the Minister's answer today at committee, it has been proven time and time again that leaving these issues up to schools doesn't work and we cannot continue down the same path that has led us to the situation we are currently in. If we are serious about keeping women and girls safe and changing our society's attitudes then we need uniform mandatory education on these issues at schools across the North. Only then we will begin to change the outdated and dangerous attitudes and behaviours that have caused serious harm to so many lives."
At a meeting of the Education Committee on Wednesday 20 March, SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter asked the Minister if he believed "all schools should educate young people on the subject".
According to the SDLP, the Minister said that he believed the autonomy of schools should be respected on the issue.
Speaking after the meeting, East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said: "Given the prevalence of violence against women and girls in our society I believe that we must use every lever open to us to deal with this scourge which has left the North one of the least safe places for women in Europe. For years we have been discussing the best way to protect women and girls and the collapse of the Assembly impeded progress on a much-needed strategy.
"Key around addressing this issue will be education in both our schools and universities. If we want to change the way that we approach this then we need to educate people from a young age about what kind of behaviour is and isn't acceptable. We need to provide information and resources so that people can learn about these issues and face them when they occur in their lives. Just last year sexual offences reached their highest level on record – now more than ever preventative education is crucial.
"I was disappointed by the Minister's answer today at committee, it has been proven time and time again that leaving these issues up to schools doesn't work and we cannot continue down the same path that has led us to the situation we are currently in. If we are serious about keeping women and girls safe and changing our society's attitudes then we need uniform mandatory education on these issues at schools across the North. Only then we will begin to change the outdated and dangerous attitudes and behaviours that have caused serious harm to so many lives."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 August 2018
Call For Entire Education System In NI To Be Reviewed
The Alliance Party and SDLP are calling for the entire education system in Northern Ireland to be reviewed after it was revealed that the Education Authority (EA) considered taking away all school crossing patrols.
Call For Entire Education System In NI To Be Reviewed
The Alliance Party and SDLP are calling for the entire education system in Northern Ireland to be reviewed after it was revealed that the Education Authority (EA) considered taking away all school crossing patrols.
20 November 2013
Higher Education Contributes £1bn Annually
Northern Ireland's higher education institutions contribute almost £1bn annually to the economy, according to Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry.
Higher Education Contributes £1bn Annually
Northern Ireland's higher education institutions contribute almost £1bn annually to the economy, according to Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry.
31 March 2015
New Education Authority To Replace NI's Five Education And Library Boards
The new Education Authority will replace Northern Ireland's five education and library boards on Wednesday 1 April. The new Authority replaces the existing five Education and Library Boards and their Staff Commission. The new organisation will have a £1.
New Education Authority To Replace NI's Five Education And Library Boards
The new Education Authority will replace Northern Ireland's five education and library boards on Wednesday 1 April. The new Authority replaces the existing five Education and Library Boards and their Staff Commission. The new organisation will have a £1.
23 October 2013
Work Begins On Education Campus
Work on clearing a former Army base at Lisanelly in Omagh, County Tyrone has begun. The 126-acre site will eventually become a new shared education campus with a total of six schools with capacity for 3,700 pupils. Phase one will see the construction of a new school for Arvalee Special School and a resource centre.
Work Begins On Education Campus
Work on clearing a former Army base at Lisanelly in Omagh, County Tyrone has begun. The 126-acre site will eventually become a new shared education campus with a total of six schools with capacity for 3,700 pupils. Phase one will see the construction of a new school for Arvalee Special School and a resource centre.
30 April 2002
Survey shows nine in ten child seats not fitted properly
A new independent survey has shown that around nine out of ten child car seats are incorrectly fitted.
Survey shows nine in ten child seats not fitted properly
A new independent survey has shown that around nine out of ten child car seats are incorrectly fitted.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
