Professor Fidelma Ashe

The professor of politics at Ulster University and member of the university’s Transitional Justice Institute is a leading scholar in peace and conflict studies, particularly in the area of marginalised identities.

Fergus O’Dowd, chair of the committee, said: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss research that assessed the gender dimensions of the Good Friday Agreement and ongoing research that engages with the provisions for a unity referendum in that Agreement through a feminist lens.

“International law has highlighted that governments must take action to ensure women have the right to engage in public and political debate and that women have a right to participate in peacebuilding.

“In Northern Ireland and other societies where there are political divisions, there is a danger of issues relating to constitutional change becoming reduced to struggles between groups seeking to preserve or extend their respective political interests which risks crowding out the voices of women and other marginalised groups.”

He added: “Dr Ashe and her colleagues’ research findings highlight the importance of women’s inclusion in constitutional debates and identify the barriers to participation. We look forward to discussing the research and the learnings for policy makers and Government.”

The meeting will take place on Thursday 29 May, 9.30am–12.30pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House and will be streamed live on Oireachtas TV.