Speaking in the Assembly, Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan said that violence against women and girls is not inevitable — it is a societal failure that demands political will, urgency, and leadership.
“Every woman lost to violence is someone’s daughter, sister, mother, or friend,” Ms. Finnegan told MLAs. “These are not isolated tragedies — they are symptoms of a deeper, systemic problem that we must confront together. Ending this violence is our collective responsibility.
The Newry and Armagh MLA called for a whole-of-society response, stressing that leadership must begin at the heart of government:
“We cannot afford to wait. How we lead, how we legislate, and how we act sets the tone for society. It is up to us — in this Assembly — to show courage, commitment, and clarity of purpose.”
Ms. Finnegan commended First Minister Michelle O’Neill for placing women’s safety and equality at the centre of political decision-making:
“Michelle O’Neill is leading by example — prioritising this issue not just in words, but in action. Through the Executive’s Strategic Framework and the Executive Change Fund, we are investing in real, community-led solutions and tackling misogyny head-on.”
As part of Sinn Féin’s ongoing engagement with frontline organisations, Ms. Finnegan highlighted a recent meeting held by party colleagues:
“Myself and Councillor Sarah Duffy recently met with Women’s Aid Armagh Down to deepen our understanding of coercive control, non-physical domestic abuse, and the long-term impacts on survivors. The meeting was invaluable and deeply affecting.
“Coercive control is not always visible. It can involve emotional manipulation, social isolation, and financial abuse. We heard clearly that these behaviours don’t stop at the front door — they spill into workplaces, community spaces, and even the family court system, where legal processes are often exploited by abusers to maintain control.
“I have seen firsthand the psychological trauma, the loss of independence, and the lasting fear that too many survivors carry long after separation. I see it in my community, I hear it in my constituency, and I confront it every day in my work as MLA. Their voices must not only be heard but must directly shape the policies, laws, and services we put in place.
Ms Finnegan concluded with a powerful message of solidarity and action:
“This is not just a policy commitment — it is a moral one.
“Sinn Féin will continue to lead from the front. We will stand with survivors, support frontline services, and demand a society where the safety, dignity, and rights of women and girls are non-negotiable. We will pursue this fight in councils, in the Assembly, in courts, and in our communities.”
CRÍOCH/ENDS
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