About the toolkit

It is with great pride and deep conviction that we introduce Pillars for Peace-Building: A Digital Toolkit for Women’s Activism in Northern Ireland.

This resource is born from a shared belief that women’s voices, leadership, and lived experiences are not just relevant to peace—they are essential. Twenty-seven years after the Good Friday Agreement, the promise of inclusive peace remains incomplete for many women across our communities. While the peace process has made great strides, persistent inequalities, unresolved legacy issues, and ongoing divisions continue to shape the lives of women in Northern Ireland.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, grounded in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, calls for the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all aspects of peacebuilding.

Yet, Northern Ireland’s complex post-conflict context has shown us that this global vision must be interpreted and implemented through local voices and local realities.

That’s where this toolkit comes in.

Pillars for Peace-Building is not just a collection of resources—it is a platform for transformation. It provides historical context on the often-overlooked role of women during the conflict and in peace efforts, alongside practical tools for gender-sensitive advocacy, storytelling, and community action. It features stories and insights from women who have shaped—and continue to shape—peace on the ground.

We designed the toolkit to be interactive, mobile-friendly, and accessible to those who need it most, including women in rural and underserved areas. It’s structured around four core areas: a timeline of women’s contributions to peace; tools for influencing change; blog posts from researchers and grassroots activists; and video interviews highlighting lived experiences.

But more than anything, this toolkit reflects a collective journey.

It has been shaped in dialogue with women across Northern Ireland—from young leaders to legacy survivors, from peace practitioners to community workers. Their voices reminded us why this work matters. As one participant said:

Hearing women’s stories reminds me of the importance of using my own voice.

That truth guided this entire project.

We are proud to launch this resource with contributions from 25 women, with many more to come as we expand the archive — a tribute to 25 years of UNSCR 1325, told through 25 voices. As we co-create this evolving space, we invite collaboration from all sectors—civil society, government, academia, and beyond.

Because peace isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement.

And with the right tools, networks, and stories, women in Northern Ireland can continue to shape that movement as architects of a more just, inclusive, and lasting peace.

Charmain Jones & Sarah Stack
Co-developers, Pillars for Peace-Building Toolkit

Charmain Jones & Sarah Stack

Acknowledgements

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our strategic leadership team, whose guidance and vision have helped shape this project:

  • Jonna Monaghan, former Director of Women’s Platform
  • Dr Anne McVicker, Director of WRDA
  • Louise Coyle, Director of NIRWN
  • Karen Sweeney, Director of WSN
  • Deirdre Quinn, Training and Development Manager at WRDA

Sincere thanks to all those who piloted the toolkit and shared their insights to ensure its relevance and impact:

  • Women’s Platform Board
  • Women’s Policy Group NI
  • Women’s Centres across Northern Ireland
  • Peace practitioners and grassroots women leaders

We are especially grateful to our project evaluators, whose contributions strengthened both the learning and legacy of the Women’s Spaces programme:

  • Aoife Mallon
  • Siobhán Harding

To our funder, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, we express deep appreciation for your support through the Reconciliation Fund, and your commitment to inclusive peace and gender justice.

A special thanks goes to the team at Rabble Coop, whose insight, creativity, and technical expertise brought this digital toolkit to life. Their ability to translate our work into an accessible and interactive online resource has been invaluable. Without their dedication and collaborative spirit, this toolkit would not have the reach or impact it holds today.

Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude to the women who contributed and continue to contribute their stories, voices, research, and visions to this toolkit. Your courage, insight, activism, and leadership form the foundation of this work and will inspire generations to come.

About the Women’s Spaces Consortium

The Pillars for Peace-Building Toolkit was developed as part of the Women’s Spaces Programme, a three-year initiative aimed at empowering women in Northern Ireland to take active roles in peacebuilding, community development, and public life.

This work is led by a consortium of organisations committed to women’s rights, equality, and inclusive peace:

The programme is supported by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs through its Reconciliation Fund.