A joint delegation from the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) and the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) convened today (2 December 2025) for the inaugural meeting of their newly established Steering Group.
This meeting took place during the international 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign running until December 10, which highlights the urgent need to end violence against women and girls worldwide.
The Steering Group meeting focused on plans for a major all-Ireland event aimed at supporting the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) campaign, scheduled for March 2026 and supported by the Shared Island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach.
This event will bring together local government leaders, expert organisations, and community representatives from across the island of Ireland to promote shared learning, leadership, and coordinated action.
After the meeting, Cllr Billy Webb, NILGA President, emphasised the unique responsibility and reach of local government in helping to address this issue.
“Violence against women and girls affects every community across every council area, and local government must be at the forefront of driving real and lasting change. Through this partnership with AILG, we are significantly strengthening our collective ability to lead with purpose, learn from one another, and empower councils to build safer, more resilient communities for everyone.”
Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan, AILG President, highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration and shared learning:
“This Steering Group marks an important step in our joint commitment to end violence against women and girls. By working together, across the Island of Ireland, we can create stronger networks, deepen our knowledge, and ensure that all our councils are equipped to support real and lasting progress. The 2026 event will be a powerful opportunity to bring that vision to life.”
The NILGA-AILG Steering Group will continue to meet in the coming months to advance planning for the March 2026 event and to support ongoing EVAWG initiatives across all of local government.
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