Women in Northern Ireland

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Women in Northern Ireland are women who live in or are from Northern Ireland.

Historic feminism

Irish women have had a long history of involvement in political movements throughout Ireland. In 1798, women were involved in the United Irish movement in a number of ways. For instance, they transported arms, kept the male Irish rebels fed and clothed, and would help to defend their camps. United Irish meetings were frequently held at women-owned public houses as well.Cannavan, Jan. "Revolution in Ireland, evolution in women's rights: Irish women in 1798 and 1848". Irish Women and Nationalism: Soldiers, New Women and Wicked Hags: 30–44. The 1960s also saw heavy involvement from women in Northern Ireland in different civil rights campaigns. Irish women engaged in and organized numerous protests regarding housing and employment discrimination within the Catholic communities in Derry and Belfast.Keenan-Thompson, Tara (2010). Irish Women and Street Politics 1956-1973. Irish Academic Press. pp. 135–141. The emergence of The Troubles and the subsequent internment of Catholic men in August 1971 greatly impacted the lives of these women. Women began to represent the men in their community in a number of protests as well as develop strategies to warn their community of the army's location. Those women who would warn the community would later be known as 'hen patrols.' Persic, Callie. "The emergence of a gender consciousness: women and community work in West Belfast". Irish Women and Nationalism: Soldiers, New Women, and Wicked Hags: 167–170.

Women during The Troubles

Women played an active role throughout The Troubles as a part of both the republican and unionist sides. Women's traditional roles as both mother and homemaker made them particularly effective as symbols of a wider conflict.{{Cite web |title=Irish women and nationalism : soldiers, new women, and wicked hags : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive |url=https://archive.org/details/irishwomennation0000unse/mode/2up?view=theater&q=chapter+ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Internet Archive |language=en}}

= [[Ulster loyalism]] =

Women were involved in Loyalist movements but were often excluded.{{Cite web |title=Women in Rebellion: How Paramilitary Women Experienced the Troubles of Northern Ireland |url=https://globalirish.georgetown.edu/women-in-rebellion/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Global Irish Studies |language=en-US}} Women frequently formed separate women's Loyalist organizations separate from more major Loyalist paramilitary organizations. Loyalist paramilitary violence was often focused on protection and defense against Republican paramilitarism and political change, meaning that women's participation in Unionist and Loyalist paramilitarism was hidden and discouraged because it offered a change to established status quo (similar to changes presented by the IRA).{{Cite journal |last=Abernathy |first=Leanne |date=2021 |title=Loyalist Women Have a Voice -- But Who's Listening? |url=https://www.glencree.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/83639-essay-1-Leanne-Abernethy-1.pdf |journal=Glencree Journal}} Many Loyalist women engaged in political processes through traditional political advocacy as opposed to paramilitary violence, particularly in rural areas. Due to their exclusion in the Troubles, as well as after during peace negotiations, many Loyalist women oppose the effects of the Northern Ireland peace process.

= [[Republicanism in Northern Ireland|Republicanism]] =

Many women joined the IRA to fight for Irish statehood and the rights of Catholics. British Army and Northern Irish police forces were often hesitant and unwilling to search women thoroughly, making them particularly useful for concealing arms.{{Cite web |date=2014-07-11 |title=The story behind the Female IRA fighter photograph, 1970s - Rare Historical Photos |url=https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/female-ira-fighter-1970s/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=rarehistoricalphotos.com/ |language=en-US}} The Women in the IRA have reported low levels of sexism and have frequently reported feeling a strong sense of sisterhood, a strong contrast to the experience of women in Unionist movements. Women in the IRA were frequently arrested and jailed in inhumane conditions, becoming frequent victims of assault, mistreatment, and were denied essential needs, such as menstrual products. Women in the IRA were also far more visible than their Loyalist counterparts.{{Cite web |last=Matassa |first=Simone |date=2019-07-10 |title=Women of the Irish Republican Army: Powerful or Powerless? |url=https://www.risetopeace.org/2019/07/10/women-of-the-irish-republican-army-powerful-or-powerless/smatassa/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Rise to Peace |language=en-US}} Dolours Price was one of the most well-known and prolific female members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and became heavily associated with the paramilitary violence of the IRA during the Troubles.

Criminal justice system

The latter half of the twentieth century saw a dramatic increase of women in Northern Ireland entering the criminal justice system. This was largely due to the conflicts between the republicans and unionists. Prior to 1976, the women who were imprisoned as a result of these conflicts were labeled political prisoners. When the policy of special categorization ended in 1976, these women were all labeled terrorists under the law. These women were mostly engaging in civil disobedient acts such as rent strikes, however many of them were brought into prison through the Emergency Powers Act with, 'aiding and abetting terrorism.' Corcoran, Mary. "'We had to be stronger': the political imprisonment of women in Northern Ireland, 1972-1999". Irish Women and Nationalism: Soldiers, New Women, and Wicked Hags: 115.

Among the notable women of Northern Ireland were Geraldine O'Regan and May Blood, a Catholic and a Protestant respectively. Both of them were active community leaders in Belfast,{{cite web|title=Daughters of the Troubles: Belfast Stories|url=https://files.nyu.edu/mr10/public/IreHse/Essay.html|work=Director's Notes|accessdate=8 November 2013}} the administrative capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. Women in Northern Ireland have a variety of concerns in regards to their overall treatment in society. Some areas of concern include domestic violence, poverty, poor housing conditions, unemployment, and a wide array of larger political issues.

= The Roisin McAliskey case =

The arrest and incarceration of Belfast native Roisin McAliskey in 1996 gained international attention. Although never charged with a crime, McAliskey was reportedly interrogated for six days. McAliskey's detainment sparked outrage from a number of human rights organizations due to her treatment as a pregnant woman.{{Cite book|title=Women in Northern Ireland|url=https://archive.org/details/womennorthernire00sull|url-access=limited|last=Sullivan|first=Megan|publisher=University Press of Florida|year=1999|isbn=0-8130-1698-3|location=Gainesville, Florida|pages=[https://archive.org/details/womennorthernire00sull/page/n179 169], 19–25}}

Present day

= Politics =

Since the ceasefire of 1994, funding from the European Union enabled a number of community based women's group to come to fruition in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Women's Coalition was a cross-community political party which ran from 1996 to 2006.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59730633 BBC website, Monica McWilliams: 'I was an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time' , article dated December 31, 2021] Monica McWilliams and Pearl Sagar were both influential leaders in the Women's Coalition.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-12 |title=- Women and the Northern Ireland Peace Process — |url=https://www.herstory.ie/photo-essays-2/2019/9/12/women-and-the-northern-ireland-peace-process |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.herstory.ie |language=en-GB}} The party was particularly influential in facilitating peace talks and drafting the Good Friday Agreement as well as garnering support for the referendum on its passage{{Cite journal |date=December 2018 |title=Women in Peace and Transition Processes: Northern Ireland |url=https://www.inclusivepeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/case-study-women-northern-ireland-1996-1998-en.pdf |journal=Inclusive Peace & Transition Initiative}} The Women's Coalition was formed primarily to address specific issues considered more relevant and important to women, such as integrated education and communities, as well as to push for more women's representation in Northern Irish politics. However, many of the reforms that were pushed for by the Women's Coalition were not implemented and enforced long-term.{{Cite web |last=G.O |first=Administrator |date=2019-10-31 |title=The Role of Women in Northern Ireland’s Peace Process: Q&A with Monica McWilliams |url=https://theglobalobservatory.org/2019/10/role-of-women-northern-irelands-peace-process-monica-mcwilliams/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=IPI Global Observatory |language=en-US}} The Women's Coalition was also unable to secure longer gains in women's political representation.{{Cite journal |last=Molinari |first=Véronique |date=2007 |title=Putting Women in the Picture : the Impact of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition on Northern Irish Politics |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/irlan_0183-973x_2007_num_32_1_1788 |journal=Etudes irlandaises |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=109–126 |doi=10.3406/irlan.2007.1788}}

= Domestic violence in Northern Ireland =

In 2023, there were 33,071 domestic abuse incidents in NI, with 20,691 of them being identified as crimes.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68428776 BBC website, Domestic abuse: Small increase in incidents reported last year, article dated 29 February 2024] In 2024, there were 30,509 domestic abuse incidents, including 18,656 crimes.[https://www.psni.police.uk/system/files/2025-02/1683686803/Domestic%20Abuse%20Bulletin%20Period%20Ending%2031st%20December%202024.pdf Police Service of Northern Ireland website, Domestic Abuse Incidents and Crimes Recorded by the Police in Northern Ireland, Update to 31st December 2024] This is a higher rate (1 in 65) than England/Wales (1 in 70), Scotland (1 in 86) or the Republic of Ireland (1 in 78).[https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwalesoverview/november2024 Office of National Statistics website, Domestic abuse in England and Wales overview: November 2024][https://www.gov.scot/publications/domestic-abuse-statistics-recorded-police-scotland-2023-24/pages/key-points/ Scottish Government website, Domestic abuse: statistics recorded by the police in Scotland, 2023 to 2024, article dated 19 November 2024][https://extra.ie/2025/02/24/news/irish-news/domestic-abuse-cases-up Ireland Extra website, Domestic Abuse up by 20,000 cases in just the last four years, article by Sarah McGuinness dated 24 February 2025][https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2024/12/20/domestic-abuse-reports-grew-by-9-in-2024-garda-figures-find/ Irish Times website, Domestic abuse reports grew by 9% in 2024, Garda figures find, article dated 20 December 2024]

Northern Ireland continues to have some of the highest rates of femicide and domestic violence within Europe, a fact that has caused gender-based violence in Northern Ireland to be called an "epidemic".{{Cite web |title=Gender-Based Violence in ‘Post-Conflict’ Northern Ireland: An Epidemic |url=https://globalirish.georgetown.edu/gender-based-violence-in-post-conflict-northern-ireland-an-epidemic/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Global Irish Studies |language=en-US}} Thirty-one women were victims of femicide in the years 2019–2024, a stark and unique trend among European nations.{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland has become a dangerous place to live if you are a woman |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2024/10/09/northern-ireland-has-become-a-dangerous-place-to-live-if-you-are-a-woman/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}} During 2024, there were seven domestic abuse related murders in NI (more than double from the previous year); six of these seven were women.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8memlgdrgo BBC website, A picture of violence: The 25 women killed in four years, article by Ita Dungan dated 16 October 2024] Many historians and psychologists have connected this trend to psychological effects caused by The Troubles. Over 60% of Northern Irish people in 2025 experience adverse childhood experiences, and over 30% have trauma linked to violent conflict.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=Report reveals ‘sobering’ levels of childhood trauma in Northern Ireland |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/report-reveals-sobering-levels-of-childhood-trauma-in-northern-ireland-7XI5EX32BVB77ADEE5MHYRTT5I/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}

Statistics from Ulster University suggested that 98% of NI women had experienced abuse;[https://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2023/september/new-uu-research-uncovers-levels-of-violence-against-women-and-girlsni Ulster University website, New Ulster University research uncovers eye-watering levels of violence against women and girls in NI, article dated 7 September 2023 ] over 70% of under-18s had experienced violence.[https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/publications/research-publication-its-just-what-happens-girls-and-young-womens-views-and-experiences-violence-northern-ireland NI Executive Office website, Research Publication: ‘It’s Just What Happens’ - Girls and Young Women’s views and experience of Violence in NI, published 7 September 2023]

Education

From 2018 to 2021, females in NI performed better than males in GCSE and A-level exams.[https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Publications/Delivering%20Equality/Education-MeasuringEqualityNI-FullReport(May24).pdf?ext=.pdf NI Equality Commission website, Measuring Equality in NI: Education, published May 2024 (pages 13 and 48)] At the same time, females were half as likely as males to start an apprenticeship and were less likely to qualify in a STEM area of study.[https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/differences-education-training-and-labour-market-sex-northern-ireland-accessible NI Department for the Economy website, Differences in Education, Training and Labour Market by sex, NI]

Employment

In 2021, women made up 49% of the workforce and 37% of managers/directors.

Impact outside Northern Ireland

Women in Northern Ireland have impacted the worlds of science,[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-58318024 BBC website, "Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell: NI scientist awarded Royal Society's highest prize"], August 24, 2021{{Cite web |title=UK astronaut Dr Rosemary Coogan aims for the stars after graduation |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-astronaut-rosemary-coogan-aims-for-the-stars-after-graduation |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=UK Government |language=en}} arts,[https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/pictures/celebrating-women Ulster Folk Museum website, Celebrating Women, article dated March 8, 2022] sports,[https://olympics.ie/athlete/stephanie-meadow/ Olympics website, Stephanie Meadow] politics[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/28/arlene-foster-to-quit-as-dup-leader-and-northern-ireland-first-minister Guardian website, Arlene Foster to Quit as DUP Leader, article by Rory Carroll dated April 28, 2021] and law.[https://alumni.qub.ac.uk/female-high-court-judges Queen's University of Belfast, Alumni section, Two Eminent Queen's Graduates Appointed First Ever Female NI High Court Judges, article dated October 23, 2015]

= People =

References

External links

[https://www.womensregionalconsortiumni.org.uk/ Women’s Regional Consortium NI]
[https://www.nirwn.org/ Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network]
[https://www.womeninbusinessni.com/home Women in Business NI]
[http://www.wini.org.uk/ Federation of Women's Institute NI]
[https://www.womenaloudni.org/ Women Aloud website ] Working for Women Writers of Northern Ireland
[https://discovernorthernireland.com/featured-pages/northern-irelands-women-in-tourism Discover NI website, Women in Tourism]
[https://www.extraordinarywomenni.com/ Extraordinary Women NI] Linen Hall Library Belfast, Digital Collection
[https://www.womensaidni.org/ Women's Aid Federation NI]
[http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/visit-and-learning/women-in-parliament/ Northern Ireland Assembly website, Women Parliamentarians of Northern Ireland]
[https://www.community-relations.org.uk/files/communityrelations/media-files/Minority%20Ethnic%20Women.pdf Community Relations website, Minority Ethnic Women Entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland, article by Michael Potter (2006)]
[https://wrda.net/2020/02/07/gender-inequality-in-northern-ireland-where-are-we-in-2020/ Women's Resource and Development Agency website, Gender Inequality in Northern Ireland: Where are we in 2020?]
[https://www.ipinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Womens-Participation-Northern-Ireland-2-Final.pdf International Peace Institute website, At the Nexus of Participation and Protection: Protection-Related Barriers to Women’s Participation in Northern Ireland, by Catherine Turner and Aisling Swaine, June 2021]
[https://www.nisra.gov.uk/news/women-in-northern-ireland-2020-2021 NI Statistics and Research Agency website, Women's Labour Market Statistics 2022]
[https://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2023/september/new-uu-research-uncovers-levels-of-violence-against-women-and-girlsni#:~:text=New%20research%20suggests%2098%25%20of,they%20were%2011%20years%20old. Ulster University website, New Ulster University research uncovers eye-watering levels of violence against women and girls in NI, article dated September 7, 2023]