25 years on: Women and the Good Friday Agreement

25 years on: Women and the Good Friday Agreement
We’ve come a long way in Northern Ireland since the signing of The Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago. More women are in positions of power than ever before and more women-centred policies are being brought to the forefront. But have we come far enough?

Come along to this live panel discussion between guests from the local women’s sector, women’s organisations, academia and the student movement, who will discuss the challenges women still face today when it comes to having their voices heard in peacebuilding and politics, and what still needs to change.

This event will be streamed live from QUB’s Elmwood Hall, where we will also be joined by a physical audience. Join us in-person or online to pose your questions to women making a difference in Northern Ireland today.

Róisín Keenan is a final year History and International Relations student and President of the Feminist and Equality society at Queen’s University Belfast. In this role she has called alongside the 500 members of the society for inclusive intersectional feminism, which encompasses all genders, sexualities, races and backgrounds. She believes that your voice is the most important thing you own and use, and is dedicated to using hers to fight for people’s rights.

Jenny Steele is one of the student Co-Chairs of Project Choice, Queen’s Students’ Union’s pro-choice campaign group, as well as one of the largest student groups on campus. As one of the Co-Chairs, alongside the committee, she is leading campaigns for access to abortion pills in the Students’ Union Sexual Health Clinic, lobbying politicians to maintain the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, as well as fighting for the change of party conscientious stances. In University, Jenny is a student in the Social Sciences PGCE, teaching Politics, History, Drama, and Citizenship.

Elaine Crory is Women’s Sector Lobbyist at the Women’s Resource & Development Agency (WRDA). She is an activist with a number of feminist organisations and teaches adult education classes. She is currently a Specialist Advisor on Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) to the Women & Equalities Committee at Westminster.

Emma DeSouza is a journalist, campaigner and peacebuilder. She took forward a high profile court case against the UK government in relation to the Good Friday Agreement, changing domestic UK immigration law. Following this she led in the creation of the first All-island Women’s forum, acting as Chair and facilitator 2021-22 and is Co-Chair and Co-Facilitator of Northern Ireland’s Civic Initiative. She is a regular contributor to the Irish Times and other publications.

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