NI Sport & Human Rights Forum explores the role of sport to end violence against women and girls

The latest NI Sport and Human Rights Forum meeting has explored the role of sport in ending violence against women and girls.

Emma Osborne, Policy and Research Officer at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) gave an overview of human rights policy and legislation, relating the rights of women and girls and how they relate to the topic of sport. Emma shared information about the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (UN CEDAW), and the Istanbul Convention.

Members heard from Tahnee McCorry, Chief Executive at White Ribbon NI, an organisation which works to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. Tahnee shared the progress White Ribbon’s campaign has made, as they empower sporting organisations and players to take a stand. She further explained how unchecked negative attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls can escalate into violence and harm and shared how they train and encourage clubs and players to sign their pledge and create a Listen, Learn and Lead action plan.

This was followed by a presentation from Chris Liddle, Operations Manager at Larne FC. Larne FC was the first sports club to sign the White Ribbon Charter, pledging to never commit, condone or stay silent about violence against women and girls. Chris talked about Larne FC’s journey of awareness raising on the issue and making their club and grounds a safe and welcoming place.

Finally, Maura McMenamin, Community, Health & Well-being Manager at Ulster GAA spoke about Game Changer, a new project aimed at raising awareness and action through sport to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Maura shared how Game Changer seeks to harness the positive influence of Gaelic games to challenge the social and cultural norms that contribute to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and aims to deliver positive behaviour change throughout society.

NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, said:

“The NI Sport and Human Rights Forum discussed the importance of using sport to end violence against women and girls.

Now more than ever, it is of vital importance that sport clubs and organisations take seriously their responsibility to uphold human rights and address the epidemic of violence against women and girls. It is heartening to see the strength of commitment by sporting organisations at the Forum, to protect and promote the human rights of women and girls through sport.

I would like to thank the representatives from NIHRC, White Ribbon NI, Larne FC and Ulster GAA for taking the time to speak to Forum members about their work.”

ENDS

To sign up for updates or to attend the next NI Sport and Human Rights Forum, please email info@nihrc.org.

Find out more about the presenters:

NIHRC: https://nihrc.org/

White Ribbon NI: https://www.whiteribbonni.org/

Larne FC: https://larnefc.com/

Ulster GAA Game Changer: https://www.gaa.ie/article/game-changer-project-launched-by-ruhama-gaa-and-white-ribbon-ireland