OPINION: Ending violence against women and girls requires all of us to act

The past number of weeks have brought devastating reminders of the reality of violence against women and girls.

The death of Amy Doherty in Derry, alongside the conclusion of the trial into the murder of Natalie McNally, has left families, communities and society as a whole grieving, angry, and asking the same urgent question: how do we stop this?

That is why investment in grassroots work is so important. Supporting community organisations, youth groups and educational initiatives helps challenge these harmful attitudes early. Changing culture is not a quick fix. It requires sustained effort, working with young people, families and communities to reshape behaviours before harm occurs.

The statistics underline the urgency. We have some of the highest femicide rates in Europe, and domestic abuse incidents remain consistently high year on year. Women continue to make up the overwhelming majority of victims of serious sexual offences. Behind every statistic is a life impacted, a family devastated, and a community shaken.

But legislation and funding alone are not enough. Ending violence against women and girls is not just the responsibility of government — it belongs to all of us.

It means calling out harmful behaviour when we see it. It means supporting victims and believing them. It means educating the next generation about respect, equality and consent. And it means ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.

The deaths of Amy Doherty and Natalie McNally must not become part of a pattern we grow used to. They must strengthen our resolve to act — collectively, urgently and decisively.