Minister Jess Phillips to give evidence to MPs on violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland
The Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Jess Phillips MP, will give evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Wednesday 18 March.
The session will focus on the UK Government’s VAWG strategy and its implications for tackling this abuse in Northern Ireland.
Previous evidence heard by the committee highlighted how 98% of women in Northern Ireland have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence. The committee wrote to the Minister last year to call for funding to tackle online abuse and a more joined-up approach across the UK. The Minister responded that tackling VAWG remains a top priority for this Government, as well as working with Devolved Governments.
Meeting details
MPs will likely ask about the UK Government’s approach to online VAWG in Northern Ireland, and the role of data in informing the issue.
Other topics which may be discussed include cross-border challenges and how the UK Government can work with the NI Executive and the PSNI effectively.