Meet the women taking a stand against violence

Aoife, Leah and Louise say they have more strength and confidence

At a gym in Belfast women pull on their boxing gloves, step into the ring, and put themselves through their paces.

But this is not just an ordinary workout class - it is a self-defence session for women, and those who take part said it provided a safe space for women to build their confidence.

It comes as the justice minister speaks of an "epidemic of violence" targeted at women and girls in Northern Ireland.

Since 2020, there have been 25 women violently killed.

There have been a range of suggestions about how to tackle the issue, but some women feel that learning self-defence is at least part of the solution.

Three women who have all walked different lives and have different experiences, have joined together over their shared desire to learn self-defence.

Glow NI, a Belfast charity that focuses on empowering women and girls, has sponsored self defence classes for women in Belfast.

Aoife Molloy said she felt a lot more confident that she could stand up for herself after starting the classes.

"Two months ago, I was like a little shell of who I am now," she said.

"After being in a violent relationship, actually hitting somebody and getting hit back was a big milestone that I had to deal with, it was very hard for me to get my head around that.

"I became very isolated, so now I have a big bunch of girlfriends, which is great."

Aoife Molloy says she has her confidence back

Louise Gallagher described how a man would continually show up to the place she went paddleboarding, take photographs, and approach her to ask questions.

She said she found it intimidating.

"He's physically stronger than me, and that scares women," she said.

"I don't think men realise the presence that they have when a woman is on her own."

She used to carry her car keys between her fingers when she went for a run, as a defence if she ever needed it.

After the classes she said she felt that she had more strength to defend herself.

"I feel a lot more confident... even the confidence to say, you're making me uncomfortable; you need to step back; I'm by myself here," she said.

Leah Djalo hopes to continue her boxing training

Leah Djalo, who has suffered from anxiety, said she felt panicked on her first day of training.

She ran back to the car and was about to leave, but pushed herself and decided to come back up and give it a go with the help and support of the women around her.

The mum of six - five boys and a girl - said she had spoken to her older sons about consent.

"If someone says no, whether that's putting your hand on someone's arm - at the least, that means no, no means no," she said.

She said there were lots of things women did - sometimes subconsciously - to stay safe.

"Checking the car's empty, checking nobody's walking behind me, so, subconsciously, I guess it is on my mind," she said.

Leah and Aoife battling it out in the ring

The women got to demonstrate their new skills at an event where their friends and family could come and watch.

All their hard work was put to the test.

The women have developed friendships

Aoife said the classes had not only taught her self-defence but she had made great friends with the other women taking part.

"You realise how strong you actually are, and it gives you so much confidence in yourself," she said.

"There's nothing to be afraid of in here; it's a safe space."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article you can access support through the BBC Action Line.