A restored executive is needed to "agree the necessary direction and funding" of a strategy aimed at dealing with violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland, an MLA has said.
SDLP justice spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin said change is required to "ensure that women can live their lives free from the threat of gender-based violence”.
It comes after a public consultation was launched on a new strategic framework developed by representatives from across government and society.
The strategy focuses on delivering solutions to address the root causes of violence against women and girls - and has an emphasis on prevention and early intervention with a view to effecting behavioural and attitudinal change.
Police statistics show that between 2017 and 2021, 34 women and girls were killed by men across Northern Ireland.
Jayne Brady, head of NI Civil Service, said: "Violence of all kinds against women and girls is a problem that is hidden in plain sight.
"Every day we see how it is affecting the lives of women and girls, wherever they learn, live, work and socialise.
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"It is a deep-rooted problem, and something needs to be done about it urgently.
"This is why I am encouraging everyone to give us their views on this framework."
Head of the Civil Service Jayne Brady is encouraging everyone to give us their views on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls framework. pic.twitter.com/SiOevYOEXW
— The Executive Office (@ExecOfficeNI) July 4, 2023
Ms McLaughlin said the consultation is "another important step in tackling this scourge that results in far too many women being subjected to violence and even losing their lives".
“The strategic framework rightly focuses on early intervention and the preventative steps we can take to address the root causes of deeply ingrained misogynistic attitudes in our society," she said.
“Ultimately, the strategy will only be delivered by a restored Executive that can agree the necessary direction and funding to deal with this issue once and for all and ensure that women can live their lives free from the threat of gender-based violence.”
The consultation runs from July 4 to October 3.
