Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has joined Nexus NI's Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Take a Pledge workplace programme, stepping up efforts to challenge misogyny, expand staff training and strengthen safety policies across its services.

The Trust highlighted the scale of the issue in Northern Ireland, noting that one in three women have experienced sexual harassment at work, and that 30 women have been murdered in the region since 2020.

As the largest health and social care organisation and one of the biggest employers in Northern Ireland, the Trust said it recognises its responsibility to help build a society where women and girls live free from gender-based violence, abuse and harm, and to address the attitudes, systems and structural inequalities that underpin them.

Through the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Take a Pledge programme run by Nexus NI, the Trust has reaffirmed its commitment to a safe, supportive and inclusive workplace for staff affected by or at risk of abuse, and to providing a responsive service for anyone affected when accessing health and social care.

Jennifer Welsh, Belfast Trust Chief Executive, said: "It is so important for all of our staff within the Trust to work together to contribute to changing the culture and society in Northern Ireland.

"Our staff come to work every day to look after others, but we also have a responsibility to look after each other; to be aware of and call out behaviour that is abusive or harmful, particularly towards women and girls.

"The Take a Pledge programme from Nexus NI shows that Belfast Trust is unswerving in its vision and actions to building a safer, more respectful future for all." The pledge urges organisations across Northern Ireland to take meaningful action to prevent violence, support those affected, and foster a culture in which abuse is not tolerated. It is supported by The Executive Office's Change Fund as part of the regional strategy to end violence against women and girls.

Prof Stuart Elborn, Chair of Belfast Trust, said: "Visible leadership and a collective effort are vital to driving culture change and tackling violence against women and girls.

"I am proud to say that our Trust Board recently welcomed Nexus to a Board meeting to discuss the prevalence of violence, its impact on victims and survivors, and the requirements of the EVAWG pledge. We are committed to taking all necessary actions to fulfil this pledge.

"As a Board, we are fully committed to supporting and driving this important organisational commitment."

The Trust said it has a long-standing record of supporting staff who experience domestic or sexual abuse or violence, regardless of their gender or role, and continues to offer help through trained domestic abuse support staff who can advise on practical adjustments and provide emotional support.

While recognising that domestic and sexual abuse can affect anyone, the Trust pointed to statistics showing women and girls are targeted more often, and said creating safer workplaces where staff feel supported can help drive wider social change.

The organisation is also leading the way on the forthcoming Safe Leave Act NI, already granting a minimum of 10 days' paid leave per year for activities connected to domestic abuse. Employees receive their normal pay for time off related to legal appointments, relocation and support services, despite the Act not yet being in force in Northern Ireland.

Embedding the pledge's principles further, the Trust has launched its first network of 33 trained EVAWG Champions across the organisation. Each champion serves as a safe point of contact for colleagues with concerns, offers vital support to those making disclosures of abuse, promotes a positive culture and challenges harmful behaviours.