ABSTRACT

The Northern Ireland peace process has been framed as a model of conflict resolution that can inform peace negotiations in other regions affected by violent conflict. There is no doubt that Northern Ireland has reaped a range of benefits from the ongoing peace process, not least in terms of a major reduction in the levels of overt paramilitary violence. However, from a feminist perspective models of conflict transformation cannot be judged successful unless they facilitate the inclusion of women in peacebuilding mechanisms and ensure women’s concerns are addressed in the conflict transformational period. The case study of Northern Ireland offers a point of analysis for examining how gender issues have been included/excluded in a conflict transformational process that some commentators have deemed suitable for exportation to other conflict zones.