The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission issued a statement on International Women’s Day 2026 urging the Northern Ireland Executive and public bodies to prioritize human rights in policies affecting women and girls.

Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick stated that women and girls in Northern Ireland face inequalities including online abuse from artificial intelligence, poverty, and effects of institutional mistreatment. She called for leadership and investment to protect their dignity, equality, and justice, enabling full participation in society free from violence and discrimination.

The commission highlighted concerns over technology-facilitated gender-based violence, such as non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes targeting women in journalism, public service, and community leadership. No current Northern Ireland legislation criminalizes deepfakes involving adults.

The Minister of Justice committed to adding amendments to the Justice Bill during consideration by the Northern Ireland Assembly's Justice Committee. The commission recommended victim-centered laws with effective investigations, redress, obligations on technology companies, and adaptability to AI developments.

Women in Northern Ireland face higher risks of poverty and financial insecurity. The commission called for a gender-sensitive approach in the Anti-Poverty Strategy, including barriers to employment, income support, and cost-of-living crisis impacts, with participation from affected women and independent monitoring.

The commission also addressed the ongoing Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses, plus its redress scheme. It urged human rights compliance, transparency, survivor participation in inquiry procedures, and provision of truth and acknowledgement for those impacted by gender-based discrimination, coercion, family separation, and long-term harm.