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Women’s Rights: Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement

Implementations

Women’s Rights – 1998

The accord does not stipulate any specific programs or laws to be changed in the country. Women’s representation in politics is increasing but remains well below 50 percent. In a 108 member assembly, there were 18 women recently elected.¹ However, law ensuring equal treatment of both women and men in employment was not passed.

“Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998, Northern Ireland Elections,” ARK, accessed February 5, 2013, http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm.

Women’s Rights – 1999

No developments observed this year.

Women’s Rights – 2000

So far as the advancement of women in economic and social life and employment opportunities, the statutory laws of Northern Ireland (Year 2000, No. 8) ensure equal treatment of both women and men in terms of employment opportunities.²

“Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland,” Government of the United Kingdom Legislation (2000, No. 8), accessed February 5, 2013, http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2000/8/pdfs/nisr_20000008_en.pdf.

Women’s Rights – 2001

Law ensuring equal treatment of both women and men in employment was not passed in 2000. In 2001, 14 women were elected to the assembly, which increased the number to 20 in total or 18% in 2011.³

“Business – Votes for women up in Northern Ireland,” Irish News, May 10, 2011.