Issue: Poverty and social exclusion are serious problems in post-conflict Belfast

The Donegall Road Village falls within the top ten most deprived areas in Northern Ireland. Residents of this community experience low pay, high levels of unemployment, poor education, poor health, high levels of crime and disorder, poor access to services and a poor living environment. For example, many of the buildings in the neighbourhood are derelict. Furthermore, there are few activities for local residents.

The lives of local people have been further blighted by over 30 years of civil conflict and disturbances, which has damaged traditional social and community infrastructures. Although a ceasefire is now in place following the Good Friday Agreement, Windsor Women’s Centre believes that some problems in the area have worsened in recent years. For example, there has been a rise in domestic violence and suicide, especially among young people.

Women play an important role in tackling poverty and in bridging divides in post-conflict Belfast. This is largely due to their focus on the well-being of their families rather than on engaging with any community tensions that may exist

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