NIWI History

After more than 30 years of sustained violence and over 3,600 deaths, the "Troubles" cast darkness over the citizens of Northern Ireland. With the country in a state of civil unrest, there was a need for comprehensive and sweeping social change. Subsequent attempts to bring forth conflict resolution between the Northern Ireland factions were minimal until the passage in June 1998 of the referendum in favor of the Good Friday Agreement. Over 71% of the population voted to approve and ratify the Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement mandated "the advancement of women in public life" and "the right of women to full and equal political participation."

Established in 2000 by Maureen Murray, NIWI was created to advance women within the Northern Ireland political process. We believe that women can only experience full and equal political participation in Northern Ireland by developing requisite political skills. By creating a break-through non-partisan research, education and training platform, NIWI funds a comprehensive program to equip, mentor and promote women with the political acumen to run a campaign and enter the political process. This innovative training program, DemocraShe, is open to all female candidates and staff providing the tools to improve their public policy and communications skills, strategic campaign management, media training, fundraising techniques and networking skills.

Research

Initially NIWI's research team conducted an extensive study interviewing over 200 political leaders, government officials and community activists in Northern Ireland, the US State Department, US Department of Commerce and The White House. The results indicated widespread support for the NIWI initiative designed to recruit participation from all Northern Ireland parties and foster greater inclusion for women within the political process. Our research revealed a need for an integrated, multifaceted training program to encourage women to enter the political arena. Women wanted training in all aspects of campaigning, political strategy, media and communications and fundraising. In addition they wanted to develop their capacity for political debate on issues from health and education to economics, trade and environment. As women candidates had not been fairly treated in the past when it came to election coverage, so NIWI also planned to work with print and broadcast media to raise women’s political profile.

Program Launch

NIWI partnered with Bronagh Hinds of the Ulster People's College, one of the women behind securing the Good Friday Agreement's mandate on women, to design a training program appropriately named, DemocraShe. It was launched in the Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast in May 2000. From its inception, DemocraShe sought and achieved unprecedented support from all Northern Ireland's political parties and, as a result, became a model of cross-party collaboration. This cross party support was mirrored in the United States with prominent Democrats and Republicans backing NIWI to make a difference. The endorsement of Senator George Mitchell, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland during the peace talks, was particularly key to the success of the program. As a result, the Northern Ireland press reported extensively on the launch of DemocraShe setting a high standard of media coverage for women candidates (see ‘Press Articles' Homepage). DemocraShe moved to the Institute of Governance at Queens University Belfast in 2002 giving the program a prestigious and intellectually diverse platform.

Election Success

Northern Ireland has four sets of elections, some of which coincide, to:

26 local Councils across Northern Ireland (also known as local government) - 582 councillors;

Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast (the regional government of Northern Ireland) - 108 MLAs;

Westminster Parliament in London (known as the general election) - 18 Northern Ireland MPs;

European Parliament in Strasbourg - 3 Northern Ireland MEPs.

For specific election results for 2001, 2003 and 2005 please refer to the article on DemocraShe.

The Future

Despite success, women in Northern Ireland still only comprise 17% of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Westminster Parliament and 22% of local councils. This is not enough and NIWI is determined to continue to financially support DemocraShe so that more women can enter politics in Northern Ireland. Our work continues even in off-election years through networking and mentoring relationships that provide an invaluable opportunity for women who aspire to higher levels of political achievement. During 2006 we built upon our partnerships with political parties and local government organizations to assist the development of the Women in Local Councils initiative; in particular, supporting political gender champions and developing Gender Action Plans for parties and elected members of local councils.

Greater participation by women is one route to stabilizing and deepening the peace process for future generations. Many in the United States and across the world have invested concern and resources in enabling Northern Ireland to emerge from conflict. Northern Ireland can repay this endeavor by passing on lessons learned. We are encouraged that in October 2000, the UN took a critical step in advancing women in the political process through the unanimous adoption by the United Nations Security Council of UNSCR 1325 that focuses on women, peace and security. This marks the first time that the Security Council recognized the contributions women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace building, and stress the importance of their equal and full participation as active agents of peace and change within the social and political landscape.

Through NIWI and DemocraShe's efforts in Northern Ireland, we have developed a road map and process that other societies in conflict can follow. NIWI is working to establish a long-term women’s political center in Northern Ireland with the capacity to share lessons internationally. Our programs have gained international attention and have been applauded and recognized by women in China, Eastern Europe, Iraq and Cyprus. We anticipate that our expertise will eventually assist and benefit women in other regions and areas of conflict in the world and serve as a model for democracies in transition.