Women’s Public Participation and Political Activism During the Troubles
摘要
This chapter analyses women’s activism and public citizen participation during the Troubles in Northern Ireland (1968–1998). It discusses how women became politicised as women during the conflict and the ideas which underpinned solidarity between them in the different settings. This chapter explores several different forms of activism with examples to illustrate their attributes and overall trends. First, women’s involvement in ethno-nationalist activities within Loyalist and Republican paramilitaries and Unionist and Nationalist political parties is analysed. Second, women’s community organising, maternal activism and “family feminism” is explored. Third, women’s feminist activism for civil rights and women’s rights is addressed, including how difference has been dealt with when building feminist alliances in a divided society. This chapter is concluded with a discussion of transversal politics and intersectional feminist activism by looking at activism for gender equality and gender-just peace, including the work of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition.