Anna Lo MLA: “I would like to congratulate NICEM on an excellent document. The purpose of this report is to highlight the key issues affecting black and minority ethnic women in Northern Ireland. It recommends that there is closer monitoring of racial equality and that legislation is introduced to address the multiple discriminations that affect this group.
“Work like this is important as the report points out that policy has been developed in silos. In respect of black and minority ethnic women, there is no dedicated policy that addresses issues affecting them. We cannot eliminate all forms of discrimination against women if we do not understand the problems that groups such as black and minority ethnic women face.
“This issue is of particular importance due to the continued delays in the publication of the Racial Equality Strategy and a Single Equality Bill. I have been asking the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister when we can expect to see them introduced, but there is no indication that we will see them any time soon.”
ENDS