Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has expressed concern that funding for the Women’s Aid Federation will end in the coming days. 

The party’s Executive Office spokesperson said:

“Ending violence against women and girls needs to be a priority for us all and Women’s Aid are a key partner in helping to deliver on this.

“It is deeply concerning that key funding from the Department of Health for the Women’s Aid Federation will end in a matter of days. 

“This funding supports the Women’s Aid Federation to undertake really important policy development work and research and assists the organisation in supporting the local Women’s Aid branches which deliver services to women and children in some of the most difficult of circumstances.

“Sinn Féin has urged the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health to commit to the continuation of the Women’s Aid Federation’s funding of £147,000 per year, and even at this late stage, are calling for that action to be taken.

“The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls strategy is currently out for consultation and we will need partner organisations to have the capacity to deliver on this.”