Background
to the
Research
- To date, there has been little research
on gender and the religious divide in NI. In general, studies that
attempt to make connections between religion and gender are primarily
from women, who are viewed as radical and described as either Nationalists
or Republicans. Protestant women's experience of 'the troubles' has
remained largely unexplored. Discussions on ethnicity have given limited
attention to gender, and where they are mentioned, women are on the
whole seen as guardians of the family.
- The aim of this chapter is to highlight
the marginalisation of women in Politics and Employment in NI. Although there are similarities that straddle both communities,
there are also stark differences. In recent years there has been a positive
change towards gender equality. However, inequalities still persist.
Research
Approach
- Secondary source data has been used exclusively
in the study. For example, data from PPRU and the EOC, reports from
community/voluntary groups, and studies carried out by academics. This
material is utilised to create a broad overview of the problem associated
with gender and Protestantism in NI.
Main
Findings
- Social policy has been geared to the notion
of a 'male breadwinner', however, this measure has been criticised as
out of date and not relevant for tackling contemporary issues concerning
gender in NI.
- As a consequence of 'the troubles' in
NI, women's rights have been marginalised. Protestant
women in particular face anti-feminist views from many politicians and
church leaders. However, there have been positive moves forward, for
instance in the recent formation of the Women's Coalition.
- According to an EOC (1993) report, women
in full-time employment have increased their share of earnings from
just under 70% of the male average in 1974 to just over 80% in 1991.
However, there continues to be a 'ghettoisation' of women into part-time,
low-paid, insecure jobs.
- Insufficient childcare in NI
has inhibited some women from entering the labour market.
- Catholic men are still twice as likely
to be unemployed as Protestant men. Similarly, Catholic women are less
likely to be in employment than are Protestant women (PPRU, 1994).
- Catholic women have been more visible
than Protestant women in Northern Irish politics, for example as spokespeople
for their communities and direct involvement in the 'armed struggle'.
It has been argued that the apparent invisibility of Protestant women
in pro-active politics can be attributed to the total or diminished
role of women in Protestant political organisations that perpetuate
a strongly male culture, and the bonding of rituals of Unionist Hegemony,
like the Orange Order or the Masons.
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