‘Full, inclusive participation of women is essential at every level of public life to ensure ongoing peace and reconciliation’ – that was the message at the event which was hosted by Irish Rural Link.
REPRESENT was organised by Irish Rural Link, together with partners Politics Plus and Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), as part of The Next Chapter’s civic empowerment project building positive relations between women from different communities and backgrounds in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland.
It is funded through the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Match-funding for The Next Chapter project is provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
This event heard from former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Liz O’Donnell, and founder member of the Women’s Coalition and Deputy Speaker of the NI Assembly, Jane Morrice and Bronagh Hinds, Senior Associate at DemocraShe and UN expert on women’s engagement in peace processes. They spoke about the challenges they faced during the peace process and their determination to ensure that the voice of women was heard. The forum also heard from four participants of the Next Chapter.
With more than 300 participants in ten Chapter Hubs across Northern Ireland and the border counties, the Next Chapter provides a network and training for women to develop ideas, build communities and support the transition out of conflict.
The forum was opened by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD.
“One element of the peace process, and one that is of keen interest to peace-builders internationally, is the crucial role that women have played throughout successive years of negotiations. When women are meaningfully involved in peace negotiations, it is acknowledged that there is a far more significant chance of a longer-lasting and more inclusive peace,” she said.
Sinead Dooley, Deputy CEO Irish Rural Link said the role women have in peace building and reconciliation cannot be underestimated.
And Joanne Jennings, Head of Programmes at Politics Plus, said more than two decades after the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement we are still seeing an insufficient representation of women in peace negotiations and in engagement in community reconciliation.
“To create a lasting legacy we need to make sure that women’s voices are heard. Whatever your background or passion, from aspiring public representatives to environmental activists, from charity campaigners to community organisers, we want even more women to get involved. It is important to make change happen and to make that a success full, inclusive participation of women, as part of a wider representation of all voices in the community, is essential at every level, from your local community group right through to the seats of government,” she added.
Highlighting the significance of the project Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), said women have historically played a vital role in peacebuilding and this has helped to maintain order, reduce violence and keep families together.
More information on The Next Chapter can be found at www.thenextchapter.eu.