Mary McAleese chairs Women’s Assembly on future of the island of Ireland
Published: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
50 women thought leaders from across the island of Ireland gathered in Dublin today (Tuesday, 11th February) to explore and elevate women’s perspectives on the future of the island of Ireland through a feminist lens.
The gathering was the second day of the ‘Women’s Assembly’ chaired by former President Mary McAleese following an initial gathering on the 5th November 2024. The Women’s Assembly is part of the National Women’s Council ‘A Feminist Shared Future’ initiative, supported by the St Stephen’s Green Trust.
The 50 Assembly participants were selected to reflect diverse backgrounds, perspectives and sectors from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
While the first meeting was about exploring and building a shared understanding of women’s lives today in a post conflict, divided society, today’s event focused on creating a visionary framework for a better future for all women on the island of Ireland and identifying the necessary steps to achieve this vision.
The Women’s Assembly does not seek to arrive at a single position on the constitutional future of the island. Instead it aims to nurture thoughtful dialogue, active sharing and listening and mutual respect with the aim of embedding women’s voices, hopes, and concerns in future discussions and debates.
The discussions and findings from both gatherings will inform a report, set for release during International Women’s Week on the 6th March 2025, which will outline feminist values that must be included in any future conversations about our island’s future.
Orla O’Connor, Director of the NWC said,
“Today’s Assembly was about moving beyond acknowledging the barriers women face and instead reimagining what a just and equal future looks like. Constitutional conversations are already happening, but too often, women’s perspectives are missing. As an all-island organisation, we are delighted to host this transformative event, bringing together women from across society, North and South, in a spirit of learning, reconciliation, and healing. Our goal was to create a safe, inclusive space for women to share their experiences, perspectives, and aspirations on the future of the island.”
She added
"Today's discussions made it clear that regardless of political outlook, there are feminist values that must be central to any future constitutional conversation. Tackling economic inequality, ensuring reproductive justice, valuing care, and embedding women's voices in decision-making structures must be non-negotiable in shaping the future of this island. These are the issues we will continue to elevate in the public and political debate moving forward. The ongoing constitutional debate provides an important platform for women’s experiences and voices."
Members of the Women’s Assembly include:
Ailbhe Smyth, Feminist Activist; Alex Brennan, Women's Budget Group NI; Alexa Moore, The Rainbow Project; Amanda Ferguson, Journalist; Amanda Slevin, Queens University; Andrea Ní Fhearaíl, Irish Secondary Student Union; Andrée Murphy, Relatives for Justice; Aoife Clements, 5050NI; Catherine Cooke, FWIN; Chloe Ní Mháille, Comhar Caomhán Teo; Eileen Weir, Community Development and Peacebuilding Practitioner; Eilish Rooney, Academic and Community-Based Transitional Justice Educator; Eilish Walsh, Sisterhub; Ethel Buckley, SIPTU; Fiona Dukelow, UCC; Gabriela Burnett, Latina Women against Violence; Helena Power, Irish Traveller Movement; Jennie Stevens, Maynooth University; Jennifer Okeke, National Women’s Council; Joanna McMinn, Activist; Kateriona Nevin, Pavee Point; Kelsey Doyle, Belong To; Leanne Abernathy, Women in Loyalism, Louise Bayliss, Spark; Lynn Carvil, Women'sTec; Lynsey Kavanagh, Pavee Point; Margaret Coughlan, ICTU Women's Committee; Maria Elena Costa, INAR; Martina Devlin, Journalist; Martina Quinn, Alice PR; Mary Hartnett, Sisterhub; Mary McAleese, Former President of Ireland; Mary McAuliffe, UCD; Mary McGuiggan, Community Activist, Educator, and Environmental Advocate , Maureen Bassett, Feminist Activist and Equality and Social Justice champion; Mercedez Hunt, Community Restorative Justice Ireland; Naomi Green, North West Migrants Forum; Nikki Gallagher, IBEC; Nora Stapleton, Sport Ireland; Nuala Toman, Disability Federation NI; Rachel Morrogh, DRCC; Roseann Kelly MBE, Women in Business NI; Rvr Karen Sethuraman, Baptist Minister and Advocate for Peace and Inclusion; Roisin Markham, Innovative Strategic Designer for Societal Transformation; Sarah Benson, Women's Aid; Sarah Mason, Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland; Shirley Scott, DRCC; Sian Muldowney, ICON; Sonya Lennon, Entrepreneur and advocate for gender equality; Sophie Nelson, Here NI; Susan McCrory, Falls Women's Centre; V'cenza Cirefice, Feminist Artist and Activist for Gender and Environmental Justice; Ursula Barry, Associate Professor Emeritus with the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, UCD; Zoë O'Reilly, National Traveller Women's Forum.
Ends/