Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

21/04/2026

Our training sessions are designed to help employers, HR professionals, line managers and employees understand their equality responsibilities.

Each session provides practical guidance on complying with equality law in Northern Ireland.

Upcoming topics include:
- Equality for line managers
- Fair employment monitoring
- Equality and AI at work
- Race equality at work
- Section 75 duties

Sessions are delivered online. View our training courses and book: https://equalityni.org/training/training-courses

03/04/2026

Our office is closed on Monday 6 April and Tuesday 7 April and will reopen on Weds 8 April at 9am.

For discrimination advice visit https://equalityni.org/your-rights

You can email [email protected], or call 02890 500 600 after the bank holidays.

23/03/2026

We welcome the consultation on the Executive’s draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy and have long recognised the importance of early learning and childcare for equality – for parents, particularly mothers, and for children most at risk of disadvantage.

In our blog, we outline the further action needed to ensure the Strategy delivers meaningful and lasting change.

Read the blog 👇
https://www.equalityni.org/Blog/Articles/March-2026/Achieving-Equality-Through-Early-Learning-and-Chil

20/03/2026

Childcare and early years work is vital, but undervalued.

Many providers are struggling with increasing costs. There are concerns about sustainability.

Women still take on the majority of childcare responsibilities at home and at work.

Improving fathers’ involvement benefits children, and helps progress gender equality. Encouraging more men into childcare occupations could increase capacity for providers

Skilled staff are leaving the sector. Recognising, rewarding and diversifying the workforce is key to sustaining quality provision.

Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation closes 24 March.
Read our response 👇
https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Consultation%20Responses/2026/260303_Resp_ECNI-DE_ELCStrategy_v1.pdf?ext=.pdf

16/03/2026

Accessible childcare supports parents.

Improving access allows parents, especially women, to return to work or training.

The barriers continue to be:
◾ cost
◾ accessibility
◾ availability

1 in 4 economically inactive women say they cannot work because of family or home issues (Women in Northern Ireland report, NISRA, 2023)

Over half of parents say cost prevented them from using formal childcare (Review of Childcare Services in NI – Final Report, Department of Education, 2023)

We need:
◾ high quality early learning for children below school age
◾ wraparound care for school-aged children, including disabled children
◾ flexible childcare that meets the needs of all families.

Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation closes 24 March.
Read our response 👇
https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Consultation%20Responses/2026/260303_Resp_ECNI-DE_ELCStrategy_v1.pdf?ext=.pdf

16/03/2026

12/03/2026

Our Chief Commissioner Geraldine McGahey joined guests at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat St Patrick’s reception in Belfast last night where she met Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

12/03/2026

Early learning shapes life chances.

High-quality early years provision:
◾ boosts educational achievement
◾ supports long-term development

This is especially important for:
◾ disabled children
◾ minority ethnic children
◾ disadvantaged children

Some disabled children struggle to access suitable childcare due to:
◾ lack of adapted facilities
◾ lack of trained staff

Government should make it easier to secure funding for the support and equipment children need.

Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation closes 24 March.
Read our response 👇
https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Consultation%20Responses/2026/260303_Resp_ECNI-DE_ELCStrategy_v1.pdf?ext=.pdf

09/03/2026

This year marks 50 years of s*x discrimination law in Northern Ireland, legislation that helped open doors for women in work, education and public life.

We’ve seen real progress, but barriers remain.

Accessible and affordable childcare, alongside flexible working and family-friendly policies, are key to supporting women to participate fully in work and public life.

As we reflect on International Women’s Day, our Chief Commissioner Geraldine McGahey shares her thoughts on progress and the work still to do.

Read the blog 👇
https://www.equalityni.org/Footer-Links/News/Delivering-Equality/International-Women%E2%80%99s-Day-2026

06/03/2026

We welcome the appointment of Colin Kennedy as Deputy Chair of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, alongside two new Commissioners, Kristel Miller and Kevin Doherty.

We look forward to working with them to promote equality and challenge discrimination.

Read the press release 👇
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/secretary-of-state-announces-appointment-to-the-equality-commission-for-northern-ireland?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=046f7ed0-a55b-4b97-80ea-58a5c1518f8f&utm_content=immediately

06/03/2026

Childcare is vital for equality.

The Department of Education is consulting on a draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.

Access to high-quality childcare:
◾ supports children’s development
◾ enables parents to work, study or train
◾ helps address inequality

Childcare should be:
◾ accessible
◾ affordable
◾ flexible

But families still face barriers:
◾ high costs
◾ limited availability
◾ services that aren’t always flexible or accessible

An effective strategy must respond to these realities and ensure childcare works for every child and every family.

Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation closes 24 March.
Read our response 👇
https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Consultation%20Responses/2026/260303_Resp_ECNI-DE_ELCStrategy_v1.pdf?ext=.pdf