The Virgin Mary Connection: Reflecting on Feminism and Northern Irish Politics

Ashe, Fidelma

doi:10.1080/13698230600942059

Cited by 25 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Compelling literature explores women's roles in the gendered constructions of nations (Yuval-Davis and Anthias 1989;Enloe 1990), the centrality of women as biological and cultural reproducers of the nation (Bracewell 1996;Yuval-Davis 1996), women as symbols of the nation (Ashe 2006), women's role as 'natural' peace-makers (Reardon 1993), the gendered iconography of the nation (McClintock 1993), links between normative masculinity and nationalism (Nagel 1998) and the role of female combatants (Jayawardena 1986;Moser and Clark 2001;Sharoni 2001). Notwithstanding the diverse and multiple roles that women play within nationalist projects, many have asserted that nationalism is a profoundly patriarchal construct that reinforces traditional gender roles (McClintock 1993;Nagel 1998).…”

Section: Women Militant Nationalism and Conflict Transformationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Explorations of women and the conflict in the North of Ireland reveals multiple roles, including informal peace-making (Cockburn 2007), community and civil society groups (Cockburn 1998;Hackett 2004;Persic 2004), formal peace negotiations and formal politics (Fearon and McWilliams 2000), street activism and protest (Aretxaga 1997;Ashe 2006) and as participants in acts of violence (Dowler 1998;Alison 2009). While there is a growing awareness of gender and conflict transformation, the issue of female ex-combatants and post-conflict reconstruction has been little discussed (Alison 2009: 219).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Negotiating New Roles'

Gilmartin

2013

International Feminist Journal of Politics

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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.---

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Section: Women Militant Nationalism and Conflict Transformationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Negotiating New Roles'

Gilmartin

2013

International Feminist Journal of Politics

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“…This association ignores women's involvement in all levels of the conflict (Aretxaga 1997). However, women have often been at the forefront of peacemaking initiatives, and essentialist portrayals of women have viewed them as morally superior to the ‘men of violence’ (Sales 1998; Ashe 2007a).…”

Section: Narratives Of Masculinity and Community-based Restorative Jumentioning

confidence: 99%

From Paramilitaries to Peacemakers: The Gender Dynamics of Community-Based Restorative Justice in Northern Ireland

Ashe

2009

The British Journal of Politics and International Relations

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Community-based restorative justice (CBRJ) schemes emerged in NorthernIreland during the 'peace process' to provide an alternative to paramilitary systems of justice. These initiatives have received considerable academic attention. A complex and critical literature has now emerged in this area; however, extant explorations of CBRJ have tended to sideline issues of gender power. Feminists and international bodies, such as the United Nations, have highlighted the importance of addressing historical gendered inequities in terms of the design and evaluation of conflict transformation initiatives. Drawing on contemporary feminist frameworks this article exposes the importance of the category of gender in evaluations of CBRJ in Northern Ireland. Moreover, it scrutinises the theoretical processes through which issues of gender power have been filtered out of evaluations of community-based restorative justice schemes in the region.During the political conflict paramilitary systems of informal justice became deeply entrenched in many working-class communities in Northern Ireland. Despite the more recent process of conflict transformation, paramilitary systems of justice have proven difficult to eradicate. In response, community-based restorative justice (CBRJ) projects emerged in both loyalist and republican residential areas to offer an alternative form of communal justice. Restorative justice is based around an ethic of non-violence and focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and antisocial behaviour through processes of mediation and conferencing. Championed by ex-paramilitaries, these projects have been framed as community-led initiatives that transfer responsibility for tackling community crime from the paramilitaries to the community itself. Given the challenges surrounding the elimination of paramilitary activity in the context of conflict transformation, the CBRJ initiatives that have emerged in Northern Ireland have received much academic attention. There is now a rich and informed body of literature on the development and outcomes of CBRJ in Northern Ireland.While complex and often critical, this literature has failed to engage with the gender politics of CBRJ practice. International declarations and bodies have forcefully argued that the development and analysis of conflict transformation processes should consider the gender implications of conflict transformation practices, particularly at local levels. Despite its sophistication and conceptual range, CBRJ literature is marked by a lack of engagement with the effects of CBRJ schemes on

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“…These ideals of womanhood supported the maintenance of the heterosexual family which was a central area of concern for both ethno‐nationalist groups. Both groups have viewed it as a vital mechanism for the socialisation and biological reproduction of the ethnic group (Ashe, 2006; Conrad, 2004). Conversely, both ethno‐nationalisms charged men with protecting the national group, and the militaristic and fraternal organisations that emerged during the conflict fostered ultra‐masculine identities for men (see Ashe 2008 and forthcoming).…”

Section: Conflict Transformation and The Politics Of Sexualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As in other contexts, ethno‐nationalist discourses in Northern Ireland generated a ‘body politics’ that shaped gender roles in ways that supported the political agendas of both ethnic groups (see Ashe, 2006, 2007 and 2008). Both Irish nationalism and unionism structured women's roles around the ideals of motherhood, domesticity and sexual purity (Ashe, 2006 and 2008). These ideals of womanhood supported the maintenance of the heterosexual family which was a central area of concern for both ethno‐nationalist groups.…”

Section: Conflict Transformation and The Politics Of Sexualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Iris Robinson's Excitable Speech: Sexuality and Conflict Transformation in Northern Ireland

Ashe

2009

Politics

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In the summer of 2008, the Westminster MP and Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Iris Robinson, made homophobic statements during interviews with the media. Robinson's anti‐gay remarks highlight the continuing challenges for sexual politics in Northern Ireland. However, conflict transformation literature in the region has elided issues of sexuality. This article, drawing on elements of Judith Butler's analysis of injurious speech, assesses the issues that Robinson's homophobic speech highlights in relation to sexual equality in Northern Ireland. It concludes by assessing the role of conflict transformation literature in charting sexual politics in the region.

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The Virgin Mary Connection: Reflecting on Feminism and Northern Irish Politics

Cited by 25 publications

References 23 publications

‘Negotiating New Roles'

‘Negotiating New Roles'

From Paramilitaries to Peacemakers: The Gender Dynamics of Community-Based Restorative Justice in Northern Ireland

Iris Robinson's Excitable Speech: Sexuality and Conflict Transformation in Northern Ireland

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