Case 338 - Women's Participation in the Good Friday Agreement Negotiations: A Case Study on Northern Ireland

Turkington, Rebecca

The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 ended thirty years of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. For decades, Catholic Nationalists had fought against Protestant Unionists in a bitter conflict known as Ireland's "Troubles." This case study examines the pivotal role women played in the negotiations to bring about peace.

Northern Ireland's peace negotiations were notable for their inclusion of civil society actors in general, including an innovative electoral approach to broaden the voices at the table, and promote genuine inclusion. The case draws heavily from extensive interviews with many of the negotiating parties, including members of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition, which gained seats at the table through the electoral system's 'top-up' provisions.

This case study is the part of a special ISD series on Women, Peace, and Security.