Schools urged to challenge misogyny and harmful attitudes to tackle violence against women and girls

(Left to Right): Antoin Moran, Project Manager ASPIRE Peaceplus; Seamus Bradly. EA Director; Paul Givan, DE Minister and Jayne Simms, EA Lead ASPIRE Peaceplus at today’s PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Conference.

Thursday 5 November 2026

Schools across Northern Ireland have a vital role to play in challenging misogyny, tackling harmful attitudes and helping young people develop healthy relationships as part of wider efforts to prevent violence against women and girls.

That message was at the centre of a major education conference held on Thursday (5 November), bringing together school leaders, teachers, policymakers and specialist organisations to examine how education can help address the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence and inequality.

The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE conference, entitled Educate, Empower, Protect: Supporting Schools to Address Violence Against Women and Girls, focused on practical approaches to prevention, early intervention and safeguarding, with an emphasis on supporting educators to address difficult issues confidently and effectively.

Teaching respect from an early age

Education Minister Paul Givan MLA told delegates that schools have an important responsibility in helping children understand respect, equality and healthy relationships before harmful attitudes become established.

He said:

“Today’s event brings together a wide range of organisations and individuals who are absolutely committed to ending violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. I share that commitment and I recognise the vital role that schools play in helping young people to develop healthy and respectful relationships and attitudes from an early age.

“The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE shared learning programme is helping to shine a light on this issue with the support of a wide range of stakeholders, recognising the wider impact of this issue in society. I want to thank everyone involved in today’s conference which provides an immensely valuable opportunity to support school leaders, teachers and practitioners in educating, empowering and protecting our children and young people.”

The conference examined how educational settings can challenge misogyny and gender inequality, encourage positive behaviour and strengthen safeguarding practices, recognising that prevention involves more than responding to incidents after they occur.

Education leaders hear from leading experts

Delegates heard keynote addresses from Dr Siobhan McAlister, Reader in Criminology at Queen’s University Belfast, and the Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan, alongside Education Minister Paul Givan.

Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), opened the conference, which also connected educators with specialist organisations working in prevention and support.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton emphasised that schools cannot tackle violence against women and girls in isolation.

She said:

“Addressing violence against women and girls requires a whole-of-society response, and education plays a vital role in that effort. Schools and educational settings are uniquely placed to help children and young people build healthy, respectful relationships, challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, and foster safe, inclusive environments where everyone is valued and supported to thrive.”

She added:

“By working together, sharing best practice and maintaining our collective commitment, we can create lasting change and help build a society where women and girls are safe, respected and empowered.”

Practical training for schools and educators

A significant focus of the event was the development of the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Educator Professional Learning Programme, intended to provide schools and other educational settings with knowledge, skills and resources to address misogyny, gender inequality, healthy relationships and safeguarding.

The programme aims to translate the issues discussed at the conference into practical support for those working directly with children and young people.

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said:

“Education has an enormously important role to play in helping to end violence against women and girls. Through PEACEPLUS ASPIRE, we have an opportunity to support schools and settings in challenging harmful attitudes, promoting equality and helping children and young people understand the importance of healthy, respectful relationships.

“PEACEPLUS is about building peaceful, inclusive and resilient communities, and creating a society where women and girls are safe and respected is fundamental to that ambition. By connecting educators with specialist expertise, practical resources and support, this conference can help turn that ambition into meaningful action.”

Part of a €34.5 million education programme

The conference forms part of PEACEPLUS ASPIRE, a €34.5 million initiative led by the Education Authority in partnership with Léargas, Early Years – The Organisation for Young Children, National Childhood Network and the Fermanagh Trust.

ASPIRE stands for Advancing Shared Partnerships through Inclusive Relationships in Education. The programme began in 2024/25 and aims to expand shared education opportunities, reduce educational disadvantage and strengthen inclusion and understanding among children and young people from different backgrounds.

It is supported through PEACEPLUS, the €1.14 billion programme managed by SEUPB and co-funded by the European Union, the UK Government, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Antoin Moran, Project Manager for PEACEPLUS ASPIRE, said:

“Education has a vital role to play in shaping the attitudes, values and behaviours of future generations. By bringing together schools, educational leaders and specialist organisations, this conference provides an important opportunity to share expertise, strengthen partnerships and support a collective effort to tackle violence against women and girls.

“Through PEACEPLUS ASPIRE, we are committed to supporting educational settings to promote respect, inclusion and positive relationships, helping to create safer communities for everyone.”

Turning discussion into prevention

For schools and families across Northern Ireland, the central issue is how children and young people can be supported to recognise harmful behaviour, understand consent and respect, and develop positive relationships.

The planned professional learning programme represents a potential route for bringing that work into educational settings, although details of its rollout and participation arrangements were not provided in the conference announcement.

The challenge now is to ensure that the expertise and commitments shared at the event lead to practical support for educators and meaningful opportunities for young people to learn about respect, equality and personal safety.