Praise for Lurgan-based Girls' Empowerment Programme aiming to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls
A valuable initiative which addresses risks to girls such as grooming, coercion and domestic abuse has earned praise for its ground-breaking work with teenagers in Lurgan.
The Girls' Empowerment Programme aims to provide an early-intervention response to Violence Against Women and Girls in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area.
The project, which was developed as a trauma-informed reaction to the issue, has been recognised as a finalist in the Partnerships category at this year's PSNI Problem Solving Awards.
The awards celebrate initiatives where people have gone above and beyond to keep others safe, through inspiring and ground-breaking projects.
The Lurgan programme is a collaboration between the police, local Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and the Education Authority.
Delivered through youth clubs in Lurgan, the project was tailored towards girls aged between 12 and 14 and sought to address risks to girls such as grooming, coercion and domestic abuse through exploration of real-life challenges, issue-based learning and facilitated discussions.
Constable Laura Cathcart from Lurgan Neighbourhood Policing Team who helped with the project, said: "The girls participated in educational workshops on topics like healthy relationships, consent, substance misuse, and online safety and were able to skill-build through make-up accreditations and vocational visits to People First, a local training organisation which offers a range of courses over a wide variety of subjects.
"This in turn enabled the girls to build their self esteem and boost their future aspirations.”
Throughout the programme multiple external partners provided their time and expertise including Women's Aid, Invisible Traffick, Start 360, PIPs, People First, PCSP / ABC Council and EA Youth Service.
The programme also helped foster greater social integration and cohesion by bringing together girls from different community backgrounds via Taghnevan Youth Club and Youth Annex, in a safe and supportive space.
Subsequent assessment showed that those who took part in the programme experienced significantly improved confidence and emotional literacy.
Constable Cathcart added: “A major success for us was also the strengthened relationship between the girls and police, with many reporting increased trust and a greater willingness to seek help.
"By challenging harmful social norms, promoting positive choices and providing a supportive peer network, the programme established a sustainable foundation for long-term resilience and safeguarding, broadened horizons and empowered young women to take charge of their futures with confidence and ambition."