Women’S Troubles

Feminist movement building is largely theorised and understood from the view of established peaceful liberal democracies. This book illustrates that there is much to be gleaned from an exploration of feminist and gender activism in a society emerging from division and violent conflict.

Providing a comprehensive overview of the women's movement in Northern Ireland, Women's Troubles takes the 1998 peace agreement in Northern Ireland as a critical juncture point. It argues that alternative political identities, namely feminism, have created spaces both within and outside formal politics to articulate a collective feminist voice and pursue feminist goals. Drawing on theoretical debates in feminism on movement building, policymaking, abortion rights, gender-based violence and the UN women, peace and security agenda, Pierson examines both the opportunities and ongoing challenges in articulating a feminist vision and creating feminist spaces in a society and politics dominated by ethno-national antagonisms.

The volume sets out to capture the complexities of feminist movement building in a divided society and contribute to ongoing analysis of contemporary global feminisms. It deepens understanding of feminist and gender activism emerging in societies and politics defined by violent conflict and ethno-nationalism.