Description
This paper examines the impact of Brexit on women in Northern Ireland, focusing on the failure to uphold the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. From November 2022 to August 2023, we conducted research for the Equality Commission Northern Ireland, collaborating closely with third-sector organisations and engaging with women representing diverse identities and from both rural and urban areas. Our findings reveal significant gendered impacts across areas like rights, socio-economic conditions, and violence against women. However, the exclusion of women and gender equality advocates from Brexit negotiations and implementation hindered the consideration of these issues, despite Northern Ireland's status as a post-conflict society where WPS principles should apply. The UK, Ireland, and the EU largely failed to consult with women or the women’s sector, perpetuating what Wright and Bergman Rosamond (2024) describe as "gendered silences." This concept reflects both the disregard for women's voices and the structural neglect of gender justice in policy-making. We reflect on the challenges we have encountered in discussing our research and its findings regarding the specific impact on women in Northern Ireland, despite statutory obligations to protect these rights under Section 75.
