A group of four teenagers from County Antrim has initiated The Athrú Project, a campaign advocating for the creation of a ministerial position focused on women’s safety and health within Northern Ireland’s devolved government. The initiative emerged after the young people, now aged 18 and 19, became increasingly concerned about media reports of violence affecting women in their community and decided that awareness alone was insufficient.
According to Women’s Aid, 31 women have been killed in Northern Ireland since 2020, with the majority of these deaths involving men as perpetrators or suspects. The teenagers—Eimear McCloskey, Devyn McAlister, Aoísha O’Neill, and Pearse O’Neill—cite inadequate infrastructure, insufficient police presence, and gaps in healthcare access as ongoing concerns for women’s safety. They point to lengthy waiting times for gynecology appointments and limited sex and relationship education in schools as additional areas requiring government attention.
The proposed ministerial role would consolidate women’s issues under unified oversight, similar to positions that exist at Westminster and in Wales. The campaign organizers believe this structure would prioritize women’s health and safety on the political agenda and improve coordination across multiple government departments currently responsible for justice, health, and education matters.
Government officials have responded by noting existing initiatives addressing these concerns. The Department of Health stated that women’s health remains a key focus area, with development ongoing for a Women’s Health Action Plan. Additionally, the Executive Office launched an Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy in 2024, and the Justice Minister introduced a Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy in March 2026. Despite these efforts, the teenagers and their supporters argue that more coordinated action is necessary.
The campaign has gained political consideration, with SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter suggesting the proposal warrants further exploration, though she raised questions about the logistics and public spending implications of creating an additional ministerial position. The teenagers have conducted surveys and hosted panel events to build support for their initiative.
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