\n<\/p>\n
Ao\u00edsha O’Neill, 18, who is Pearse’s sister says establishing a dedicated minister for women’s safety and health at Stormont would bring together women’s issues “so they can be tackled in a more efficient way”.<\/p>\n
It would be similar to the minister for women and equalities at Westminster, or the deputy minister for social care, mental health and women’s health in Wales.<\/p>\n
Pearse says they were drawn to the idea because: “A minister has a basic obligation to make legislation, and creating one could be a good step towards changing how women’s safety and healthcare is approached in government.”<\/p>\n
Ao\u00edsha also believes a dedicated women’s minister could help shrink healthcare waiting lists and improve sex and relationship education in schools.<\/p>\n
“I think, currently, issues of women’s health and safety are quite low on departments’ priority lists,” she adds.<\/p>\n
Eimear agrees: “Women’s safety and health is such a large and pressing issue that it’s so difficult to keep up with.<\/p>\n
“With a minister’s resources and attention it could be tackled effectively.”<\/p>\n