Fighting gender-based violence through lifelong learningUNESCO Learning City of DerryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Violence against women and girls remains a profound and often hidden challenge in Northern Ireland. With domestic abuse reported to police every 16 minutes, the statistics are staggering.
During a 12-month period in 2023/2024 alone, 19,954 domestic abuse crimes were recorded, with women making up 69% of the victims. Yet, the true scale of the issue is believed to be much higher, as many cases remain unreported.
As Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, Derry is no stranger to the impacts of domestic violence. The legacy of decades of conflict continues to leave deep physical and emotional scars, with intergenerational trauma affecting individuals and families alike.
While the city has made significant progress since the Good Friday Agreement, mental health, domestic abuse and gender-based violence remain persistent challenges.
During a 12-month period in 2023/2024 alone, 19,954 domestic abuse crimes were recorded, with women making up 69% of the victims. Yet, the true scale of the issue is believed to be much higher, as many cases remain unreported.
As Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, Derry is no stranger to the impacts of domestic violence. The legacy of decades of conflict continues to leave deep physical and emotional scars, with intergenerational trauma affecting individuals and families alike.
While the city has made significant progress since the Good Friday Agreement, mental health, domestic abuse and gender-based violence remain persistent challenges.
Lord Mayor of Derry City and Strabane DistrictCllr Lilian Seenoi Barr
'Ending all forms of violence, abuse, and harm against women and girls is one of the most pressing challenges facing our society today.'
Breaking the cycle
Recognizing that lifelong learning is key to breaking the cycle of violence, Derry is committed to fostering a safer, more informed community.
As a UNESCO Learning City, it prioritizes initiatives that:
As a UNESCO Learning City, it prioritizes initiatives that:
- Educate children and young people about healthy relationships.
- Train justice system professionals to better support victims.
- Raise awareness and encourage bystanders to take action — such as through the 'Power to Change 'campaign.
- Provide domestic abuse survivors with the skills and resources needed to rebuild their lives.
Empowering survivors, breaking the cycle of abuseFoyle Women’s Aid
One of the leading organizations in this fight is Foyle Women’s Aid. Dedicated to ending domestic abuse, it provides essential services — including confidential support, emergency accommodation, advocacy, and learning opportunities — to help women and children regain control of their lives.
Through partnerships with key agencies, Foyle Women’s Aid not only challenges systemic barriers but also creates pathways to independence, self-empowerment, and dignity.
Through partnerships with key agencies, Foyle Women’s Aid not only challenges systemic barriers but also creates pathways to independence, self-empowerment, and dignity.
A Lifeline for SurvivorsThe Foyle Family Justice Centre
The Foyle Family Justice Centre, operated by Women’s Aid, is the first facility of its kind in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Located in Derry, it brings together multiple agencies under one roof, providing survivors of domestic abuse with a centralized and supportive space to access essential services.
From safe housing and court advocacy to skills training and employment programs, the centre takes a holistic approach to helping survivors regain control over their lives. By reducing the number of times victims need to recount their experiences, it minimizes retraumatization and makes support more accessible and efficient.
At the heart of this initiative is lifelong learning, empowering survivors with the skills and confidence they need to build a new future.
From safe housing and court advocacy to skills training and employment programs, the centre takes a holistic approach to helping survivors regain control over their lives. By reducing the number of times victims need to recount their experiences, it minimizes retraumatization and makes support more accessible and efficient.
At the heart of this initiative is lifelong learning, empowering survivors with the skills and confidence they need to build a new future.
Transforming Lives Through LearningMary and Annette
Mary and Annette are among the many women who have found refuge at the Foyle Family Justice Centre. Both endured domestic abuse before making the decision to seek help. Trapped in cycles of violence, they had long put their own needs aside as full-time caregivers.
Today, they are living proof of the transformative power of lifelong learning. With the guidance of the centre’s hospitality academy, Mary and Annette are now training in the food service industry at Café Central, a social enterprise in the heart of Derry and part of the Foyle Family Justice Centre.
Through this opportunity, they are not only gaining practical skills but also rebuilding their confidence and independence, step by step.
Today, they are living proof of the transformative power of lifelong learning. With the guidance of the centre’s hospitality academy, Mary and Annette are now training in the food service industry at Café Central, a social enterprise in the heart of Derry and part of the Foyle Family Justice Centre.
Through this opportunity, they are not only gaining practical skills but also rebuilding their confidence and independence, step by step.
Café CentralA Café with a Mission
More than just a café, Café Central is a space of empowerment. It serves not only as a welcoming place for survivors and the wider community but also as a training ground for women rebuilding their lives.
Through hands-on experience in hospitality, women like Mary and Annette gain valuable skills, build confidence, and take important steps toward independence.
All profits from the café directly support Foyle Women’s Aid programmes, ensuring that more survivors receive the help they need.
Through hands-on experience in hospitality, women like Mary and Annette gain valuable skills, build confidence, and take important steps toward independence.
All profits from the café directly support Foyle Women’s Aid programmes, ensuring that more survivors receive the help they need.
Mary and Annette
For Mary and Annette, working at Café Central is about more than employment—it’s about reclaiming their sense of self. The café has become a safe, supportive environment where survivors uplift one another, creating a ripple effect of hope and resilience.
Their journey is an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. As Annette puts it: 'If I can do it, anybody can.'
Their journey is an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. As Annette puts it: 'If I can do it, anybody can.'
Mary and Annette
Derry's commitment to inclusive lifelong learning
The Foyle Family Justice Centre is just one of the initiatives showing the commitment of the various stakeholders of the UNESCO Learning City of Derry to ensuring that learning, inclusion, and empowerment remain at the heart of its development.
By fostering strong partnerships, breaking down barriers to participation, and investing in innovative initiatives, the city is creating a truly inclusive learning environment, contributing to shaping a more equitable society.
By fostering strong partnerships, breaking down barriers to participation, and investing in innovative initiatives, the city is creating a truly inclusive learning environment, contributing to shaping a more equitable society.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Credits: © Shutterstock.com / Irina Wilhauk; Shutterstock.com / Min Jing; Shutterstock.com / Southworks; Foyle Family Justice Centre; Shutterstock.com / Gala AP; City of Derry / UIL; Shutterstock.com / Rawpixel.com; Foyle Women’s Aid; Shutterstock.com / Media_Photos; Shutterstock.com / Susanne Pommer; UIL
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Credits: © Shutterstock.com / Irina Wilhauk; Shutterstock.com / Min Jing; Shutterstock.com / Southworks; Foyle Family Justice Centre; Shutterstock.com / Gala AP; City of Derry / UIL; Shutterstock.com / Rawpixel.com; Foyle Women’s Aid; Shutterstock.com / Media_Photos; Shutterstock.com / Susanne Pommer; UIL
Scroll down to continue
Swipe to continue
Swipe to continue
UNESCO Learning City of Derry
Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr
Breaking the cycle
Foyle Women’s Aid
The Foyle Family Justice Centre
Mary and Annette
Café Central
Mary and Annette
Mary and Annette
Derry's commitment to inclusive lifelong learning
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities