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Abstract
Based on in-depth interviews, this article critically assesses the current roles that Republican women occupy as the North of Ireland continues to emerge from conflict. In doing so, it argues that women's political mobilization during the conflict period can be carried forward into post-war scenarios; however, it is the nature of that activism that proves problematic. The conflict transformation period witnessed a more highly formalized role for Republicans that contrasts sharply with radical spaces opened up during the conflict; in particular, the re-emergence of rigid state institutions coupled with formal political parties appears to severely restrict women's sense of political mobility. As Republicans move away from ‘revolutionary agitation’ into more formalized politics, many Republican women are encountering cultural and structural barriers to their involvement within that realm. This research finds that while some women are participating within the sphere of formal politics, many are continuing their political activities within the community and voluntary sector, which they view as a far more effective mechanism for exerting political agency.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the women who generously participated in this research. I would also like to thank Dr Theresa O'Keefe and Dr Laurence Cox at the Department of Sociology, NUI Maynooth, for their thoughts and support during the writing of this article. I am also extremely grateful to the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive and insightful comments. This research is funded by the Irish Research Council.
Notes on contributor
Niall Gilmartin is a research scholar within the Department of Sociology at the National University of Ireland Maynooth. He is currently in his third year of research for a PhD dissertation on Republican women in post-conflict North of Ireland.
Notes
1 The term ‘Republican’ refers to members of the Nationalist/Republican community who are either active in and/or support the use of armed struggle in the pursuit of a united Ireland.
2 Irish Republicans use the terms ‘North of Ireland’ instead of ‘Northern Ireland’ to refer to the geopolitical territory that remains under British rule. As a mark of respect to the participants, I employ their Republican terminology throughout this article.
3 Feminists have criticized the term ‘post-conflict’ as it neglects the existence of other forms of violence during so-called ‘peace times’.
4 I use the term ‘Republican women’ as opposed to ‘combatants’ to reflect the fact that not all participants engaged in paramilitary roles.
5 Snowball sampling refers to a method whereby one initial participant refers another participant onto the author, leading to a chain of referrals.
6 Gatekeepers control or provide research access to participants and are essential in case studies such as this.
7 The term ‘Nationalist’ generally refers to persons who identify themselves as Irish and who may aspire to a united Ireland but do not support political violence in pursuit of that objective.
8 The Falls Road is the main arterial route through West Belfast.
9 Interview with author, April 2010.
10 Interview with author, April 2010
11 Interview with author, November 2012.
12 Interview with author, September 2012.
13 Interview with author, October 2012.
14 Interview with author, October 2012.
15 Interview with author, June 2012.
16 Interview with author, June 2012.
17 Interview with author, May 2012.
18 Stormont is the Northern Ireland government parliament building.
19 Interview with author, June 2012.
20 Interview with author, April 2010.
21 Interview with author, June 2012.
22 Interview with author, September 2012.
23 Interview with author, October 2012.