Belfast City Council is hosting a range of events throughout March 2026 aimed at raising awareness and supporting efforts to end violence against women and girls. The programme includes a family event for International Women’s Day, workshops, panel discussions, industry training sessions and community initiatives across Belfast.

Belfast Hosts Series of Events to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls

A series of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Belfast events will take place across the city this March as part of ongoing work led by Belfast City Council.

The programme supports the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls and aims to raise awareness, provide training and encourage communities to take an active role in preventing violence.

More information about the initiative can be found on the council website:
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence

Key Events Taking Place Across Belfast

Several public events and workshops are planned throughout the month to encourage engagement from residents, organisations and businesses.

One Step Louder – International Women’s Day Event

A family fun day titled “One Step Louder” will take place at Girdwood Community Hub on Sunday 8 March to mark International Women’s Day.

The event will feature:

• Family-friendly activities
• Information stalls from local support services
• Advice and guidance for women and families

More about International Women’s Day can be found here:
https://www.internationalwomensday.com

Her Safety, Our Responsibility Panel Discussion

A lunchtime panel discussion titled “Her Safety, Our Responsibility” will take place at Walkway Community Centre on Friday 27 March.

The session will explore:

• Community responses to violence against women and girls
• How individuals and organisations can help support victims
• Local services available to those affected

Details of the council’s wider strategy can be found here:
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence

Training for Hair and Beauty Industry Trainees

Targeted engagement events will also take place with trainees from the hairdressing and beauty industry in the south of the city on:

• Monday 9 March
• Tuesday 10 March
• Thursday 12 March

These sessions aim to help professionals identify signs of abuse and better understand how they can help direct individuals to appropriate support services.

Workshop for Belfast Sports Clubs

Following the success of last year’s It’s a Team Effort conference, sports clubs in Belfast are invited to attend a follow-up safeguarding workshop.

The free workshop will take place on:

Tuesday 24 March – Olympia Leisure Centre

The event will help sports organisations:

• Improve safeguarding knowledge
• Protect both female and male players
• Promote safer environments within sport

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Link: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence

Culture, Arts and Urban Design Engagement

Events are also planned with Belfast’s culture and arts sector, as well as those involved in designing public and outdoor spaces.

Sessions will take place on:

• Wednesday 11 March
• Friday 27 March
• Tuesday 31 March

These events will explore how creative industries and urban design can help make Belfast a safer city for women and girls.

Event at the MAC with Queen’s University Belfast

Another key event will take place at The MAC Belfast on Tuesday 31 March.

The discussion will be delivered in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and community organisations, focusing on:

• Engaging men and boys
• Addressing harmful attitudes and behaviours
• Developing new approaches to prevent violence against women and girls

More information about The MAC can be found here:
https://themaclive.com

Information about Queen’s University Belfast is available here:
https://www.qub.ac.uk

£340,000 Funding for Community Projects

Belfast City Council has also allocated £340,000 in additional funding to support community initiatives tackling violence against women and girls.

This funding supports 23 new projects, bringing the total number of initiatives funded through the Local Change Fund to 50.

Supported projects include:

• Theatre productions raising awareness
• Workshops for teenagers
• Training for LGBTQIA+ and minority ethnic communities
• Programmes with sports organisations
• Educational initiatives with schools and young children

Free Training for Community Organisations

Community organisations can also access free training designed to help them:

• Recognise signs of domestic abuse
• Identify coercive control
• Build confidence in providing support and guidance

Further details and registration information are available on the council website:
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence

Lord Mayor Encourages Residents to Get Involved

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said the council is proud to support the Northern Ireland Executive’s strategy and use its networks to support local communities.

She also highlighted the success of last year’s events, where over 90% of attendees said they felt more confident supporting others after taking part.

Residents are encouraged to attend events, participate in training sessions and help promote safer communities across Belfast.

Call to Action

If you want to support the campaign to end violence against women and girls in Belfast, consider attending one of the upcoming events or workshops this March.

Find full event details here:
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/endviolence