1860-1915
The First Wave of the Women's Movement (i)
Focused on legal rights like suffrage and labour protections. International collaboration helped frame women's suffrage as a global human rights issue and strengthened transnational activism.
1866
Early efforts at organisational initiatives
The organised suffrage movement began in 1866, with prominent women's rights reformers petitioning the UK Parliament requesting the right to vote.
1872
The Irish Women's Suffrage Society is formed
The first Women's Suffrage Society in Ireland was founded in 1872 by Isabella Tod, a woman from Belfast, as the North of Ireland Women's Suffrage Society (NIWSS).
1888
International Council of Women is founded
The International Council of Women, the first truly global women’s non-governmental organisation, was founded in 1888 for the advancement of women all over the world.
See the website of The International Council of Women.
1897
Formation of National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS)
Under the leadership of prominent feminist Millicent Fawcett the NUWSS was formed, bringing together various suffrage societies from London and around the country.
1902
International Alliance of Women (IAW) is founded
The IAW, a leading global suffrage organisation, now holds consultative status at the UN, Council of Europe, Arab League, and African Union, advancing women's rights worldwide.
See the webite of The International Alliance of Women.
1905
Emergence of militant campaigns
Following the arrest of prominent suggragettes, Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney, the Women's Social and Political Union engaged in militant actions - window smashing, arson and hunger strikes - with many being imprisoned.
1908
The Irish Women's Franchise League is founded
Lillian Metge, a reporter for League's paper 'The Irish Citizen' also founded the Lisburn Suffrage Society and was its president and secretary at different times.
1910
2nd International Conference of Working Women
The Copenhagen conference, with over 100 women from 17+ countries, unanimously approved the idea to hold an annual International Women’s Day, leading to the first International Women’s Day in 1911.
1911
The First International Women's Day
On 8 March, across Europe, over 1 million people mark the first International Women’s Day by protesting for women’s suffrage and labour rights. It was officially recognised by the UN in 1977.
More about the history of Women's Day
1912
Militant suffragettes in Belfast
The first recorded militant activity recorded in Ulster took place when women from the Irish Women’s Suffrage Society smashed the windows of the General Post Office in Donegall Square in Belfast.
See a film about Suffragettes calling for the arrest of Bonar Law and Edward Carson1914
Outbreak of World War One
Suffrage prisoners were released as focus shifted to the war effort. The war brought the role of women in various industries to the fore, influencing attitudes towards women.
1915
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
The WILPF developed out of the International Women's Congress against WWI that took place in The Hague, Netherlands, in 1915 and the formation of the International Women's Committee of Permanent Peace.
See the WILPF website.1915-1960
The First Wave of the Women's Movement (ii)
Women’s activism expanded in labour movements, demanding fair wages and conditions. Trade union involvement linked gender equality with broader social and economic reforms.
1918
Representation of the People Act and Parliament (Qualification) Act
Women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification were allowed to vote, representing a significant achievement after years of struggle and activism. Women were also legally permitted to be elected MP.
Animated film charting the progress of the suffrage movement through to 1918.
1918
First woman elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Constance Georgine Markievicz was an Irish politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragist, and socialist who served as Member of Parliament for Dublin St Patrick's from 1918 to 1922
A graphic novel looking at the life of Countess Constance Markievicz.
1921
First women to be elected to the Parliament of Northern Ireland
Dame Dehra Parker became a Minister for Health (1949-57) and the longest serving female MP. Julia McMordie was also the first woman member of Belfast City Council in 1917 and was President of the Ulster Women's Unionist Council 1919–1940.
1928
Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act
All women over 21 can now vote – 52% of the electorate in Northern Ireland, aligning with male voting rights and further expanding women's suffrage.
1943
First female police officers began their training
The first six female recruits to the RUC began their training in Enniskillen in 1943. Despite women serving all through the Troubles, it wasn’t until 1994 before female officers were issued with firearms.
Female officers mark 75 years since their predecessors broke down barriers by joining police
1945
Women’s International Democratic Federation founded
The Women's International Democratic Federation (WIDF) is an international, anti-fascist women's rights organisation established in 1945 in Paris to prevent war and combat the racist and sexist ideology of fascist regimes.
USSR Post, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
1945
Establishment of the United Nations
50 countries gathered together to create and sign the UN charter which they hoped would prevent wars and contribute to international peace and security.
1946
The UN Commission on the Status on Women (CSW) established
Following the formation of the United Nations in 1945, the CSW was set up as principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Learn more about the work of the Commission.
1947
Education Act (Northern Ireland) prevents female teachers from being dismissed after marriage
This provision was a significant step in addressing the 'marriage bar', a common practice where women, including teachers, were forced to resign their jobs upon marriage.
1949
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948, the UDHR sets out a range of rights and freedoms to which everyone, everywhere in the world, is entitled. It serves as the foundation of human rights throughout the world.
1950
European Convention of Human Rights
Inspired by the UDHR, the convention established binding human rights protections for member states of the Council of Europe. The Belfast / Good Friday Agreement requires that the ECHR be part of the law in Northern Ireland.
Read the full text of the European Convention on Human Rights.
1959
Irish Congress of Trade Unions was founded, including the National Committee for trade union women
Betty Sinclair, Secretary of the Belfast and Districts Trade Union Council (1947-75), seconds Kay Fallon's motion to establish the Women's Advisory Committee at the ICTU's founding conference.
1961-1980
The Second Wave of the Women's Movement (i)
Broadened feminism to address workplace equality, reproductive rights, and gender roles. In Northern Ireland, women founded support centres and linked gender inequality to wider human rights concerns amid the Troubles.
1969
Bernadette Devlin McAliskey elected to the UK Parliament
McAliskey came to national and international prominence at the age of 21 when she became the youngest female ever (at that time) to become a member of the British Parliament. She served as MP for Mid Ulster from 1969 to 1974.
A Counterpoint programme from 1992 looking at women and their role in Northern Irish politics
1970
The Equal Pay Act is brought into effect
The Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970, as amended, ensures equal pay for work of equal value, regardless of sex, and makes sex discrimination in contractual pay and benefits unlawful.
Read the Equal Pay Act
1970
Women Together is founded
Founded for women to unite and use their influence to promote peace and reconciliation within Northern Ireland, Women Together brought Catholic and Protestant women into talks and cooperation in the 1970s with the aim of ending violence.
Women Together in the darkest days of the 'Troubles'
1975
Northern Ireland Women’s Rights Movement (NIWRM) is founded
Demanding equal opportunities, equal pay, equality of legal and social rights, maternity rights, improved childcare provisions and reformed family planning services the NIWRM organised campaigns, demonstrations, actions, research and pressure groups.
Extraordinary women: Northern Ireland Women’s Rights Movement
1975
International Women's Year
The United Nations declared this following a proposal from the Women's International Democratic Federation at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
1975
First World Conference on Women
The event in Mexico city involved 133 governments - alongside 6,000 NGOs attending a parallel forum - agree a World Action Plan for the advancement of women through to 1985.
World Conferences on Women organised by the UN
1975
The first women’s aid refuge opens in Belfast.
The Women's Aid movement in Northern Ireland began in 1975 with the founding of the first refuge in Belfast, and the Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation was formed in 1978.
The website of Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland1976
The Sex Discrimination Act is brought into force
The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 aimed to make it unlawful to discriminate against individuals based on their sex, marriage, pregnancy/maternity, or gender reassignment in areas like employment, training, education, and the provision of goods and services.
Read the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
1976
UN Decade for Women announced
The UN Decade for Women (1976-1985), declared by the UN General Assembly, aimed to promote gender equality and women's rights, focusing on issues like pay equity, violence against women, and land rights, culminating in the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women.
Read the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women
1976
The Peace People are formed
The Peace People began in 1976 as a peaceful protest movement against the on-going violence in Northern Ireland. Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976, the 16th and 17th women to become Nobel Prize Laureates since 1901.
The Peace People
1977
International Women's Day recognised by the United Nations
The international women's movement, strengthened by four United Nations women's conferences, helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women's rights and participation across society.
Read the history of Women’s Day
1979
The first Women’s Centre opens in Belfast
Bronagh Hinds and Lynda Walker open the first Women’s Centre in Northern Ireland to serve as an advice service and resource and information centre on women’s issues. The centre becomes a conduit for the growing network of feminist and women’s organisations.
Downtown Women's Centre - Volunteers Needed - Flyer
1979
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
Adopted by the UN, CEDAW aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and promote substantive equality. It is often described as an international bill of rights for women.
Read the 2019 Northern Ireland shadow interim report to CEDAW
1980
Second World Conference on Women
145 Member States gathered in Copenhagen to review progress since the first world conference. A Programme of Action called for stronger national measures to ensure women’s ownership and control of property, as well as improvements in protecting women’s rights to inheritance, child custody and nationality.
More about the World Conferences on Women organised by the UN1981-1990
The Second Wave of the Women's Movement (ii)
Feminist activism during this period fostered political engagement and supported the growth of women’s organisations focused on gender equality and social justice.
1982
The Rape Crisis Centre opens in Belfast
The first rape crisis centre in Ireland/Northern Ireland opens on Donegall Street. The Rape Crisis service was relaunched in 2018 for anyone aged 18 and over who has experienced rape or serious sexual assault in adulthood.
The website of Rape Crisis Northern Ireland1983
The Women’s Education Project was established
Later called the Women's Resource and Development Agency, the WRDA provided a supportive environment, with a learning approach that broke down hierarchies and stressed the validation of personal experience.
Women's Resource and Development Agency
1983
WOMEN’STEC is founded
WOMEN’STEC (Training, Enterprise & Childcare Centre), now known as WOMEN’STEC, was established to enable women and girls to access careers in industries where they are under-represented.
The website of Women'Stec1984
Foyle Women’s Information Network is founded
FWIN’s mission statement is to increase the capacity, visibility and voice of women throughout the North West.
Foyle Women’s Information Network
1985
Women Protest Against Strip Searches in Armagh Gaol
In 1982 random strip searches were introduced among the female prisoners in Armagh Gaol. The National Council of Civil Liberties found the searches to be arbitrary attempts to maintain authority in the gaol.
1985
Third World Conference on Women
157 member states adopted the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, which outlined measures for achieving gender equality at the national level and for promoting women’s participation in peace and development efforts.
The Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women
1988
Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform (now Women's Platform) was founded
Founded as Northern Ireland's contribution to the European Women’s Lobby, Women's Platform works to amplify the voices of women and girls internationally. In 1999, Women’s Platform secured special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Women’s Platform
1989
The Women’s Support Network (WSN) is formed
Formed in opposition to Belfast and Lisburn Councils' funding cuts to women's centres, WSN aims to support the development of women’s organisations, enable collective action and positively impact on policy and decision-making processes.
The website of the Women’s Support Network
1990
European Women’s Lobby is founded
The largest European network of women’s associations, representing more than 2,000 organisations, the EWL works to ensure the contribution of women to all aspects of life is recognised and celebrated.
European Women’ Lobby1991-2000
The Third Wave of the Women's Movement (i)
Women played key roles in peace negotiations through political parties, civil society, and grassroots activism. Feminism embraced intersectionality and supported LGBTQIA+ rights and broader political inclusion.
1992
Creation of the Women's Major Group
The Women's Major Group has the responsibility to facilitate women’s civil society active participation, information sharing and input into the policy space provided by the United Nations.
The website of the Women's major Group1992
Earth Summit and Agenda 21
A global partnership of 178 countries for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment is established. Women and gender equality is recognised as essential.
1995
Fourth World Conference on Women
The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action emerging from the conference, adopted unanimously by 189 countries, is an agenda for women’s empowerment and considered the key global policy document on gender equality.
World Conferences on Women organised by the UN
1996
Formation of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition
NI Women’s Coalition was instrumental in the forming and signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 1998.
The Women's Coalition and the NI Assembly
1996
Alliance for Choice (A4C) was founded
A4C was established to campaign for barrier free access to abortion, comprehensive, unbiased sex education for young people and an end to the harassment of people using reproductive health services.
Alliance for Choice
1996
Training for Women Network (TWN) is established
TWN promote education and training for women across Northern Ireland and set up various EU funded women’s training and education projects. TWN is the lead partner of the Women’s Regional Consortium.
Website of the Training for Women Network
1997
Mo Mowlam was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Appointed Secretary of State at a crucial time in the peace process, she is remembered as being inclusive and taking the time to involve ordinary people, victims and women in peace talks.
Her Story, Mo Mowlam
1998
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is signed
The Agreement includes the right of women to 'full and equal political participation'.
Text of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement1998
Vital Voices conference in Belfast
More than four hundred women leaders will meet in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from August 31-September 2, for a Vital Voices: Women in Democracy conference. Hilary Clinton deilvers the keynote address.
Digital Film Archive's recording of Vital Voices conference
1999
First female president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions elected
Inez McCormack pushed for strong equality and human rights provision in the Good Friday Agreement, was a MacBride Principle signatory and founded Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR).
1999
The first female Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland appointed
Nuala O’Loan served from 1999 to 2007. In 2009, it was announced that she was to be appointed to the House of Lords.
2000
The first female deputy Speaker of the NI Assembly elected
Jane Morrice went on to play leading roles in the European Economic and Social Committee, Equality Commission, Integrated Education Fund, and Honorary President of the European Movement NI.
2000
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security
Resolution 1325 is passed making women, peace and security one of the main pillars of the Security Council's work. For the next 20 years the 1325 is strengthened through further resolutions.
UNSCR 1325 at 20 Years: Perspectives of Feminist Peace Activists and Civil Society
2000
Beijing+5 Political Declaration
The Platform for Action, adopted 5 years previously, is reviewed and new priority areas for action are added: Women in agriculture and Women and HIV/AIDS.
2000
UN Millennium Declaration
The Declaration commits world leaders to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women.
2001-2010
The Third Wave of the Women's Movement (ii)
Youth-led activism addressed gender-based violence, media representation, and reproductive justice, building a more inclusive and diverse feminist movement.
2006
The first female Speaker of the NI Assembly elected
Eileen Bell had previously worked as a civil servant, as part of the Peace People and Peace Train Organisation
2006
Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN) established
NIRWN's vision is an equitable society where rural women are visible, influential and valued. Their mission is to advance the participation and recognition of rural women.
2006
Northern Ireland's Gender Equality Strategy is launched
The purpose of the Gender Equality Strategy was to bring focus to identifying and addressing the issues, barriers and disadvantages that undermine equality of opportunity in our community.
The NI Executive Gender Equality Strategy
2007
All-Party Group on UNSCR 1325, Women Peace and Security established
The Group raises awareness of the lack of participation of women in political and public life in areas outlined in UNSCR 1325. Women’s Platform serves as the secretariat.
NI Assembly All-Party Group on UNSCR 1325, Women Peace and Security2007
The first person from minority ethnic community elected to NI Assembly
Anna Lo elected as an MLA for South Belfast. She was the also the first person born in East Asia to be elected to any legislative body in the UK.
2008
The first International Day of Rural Women
Held on 15 October it recognised the critical role of rural women, including indigenous women, in 'enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty'.
Read about the background to the International Day of Rural Women.
2008
UN Security Council Resolution 1820 on Sexual Violence in Conflict adopted
Sexual violence is recgonised as a weapon of war while rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or a constitutive act with respect to genocide.
About Women, Peace and Security in the Security Council
2010
UN Women established
UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, established as a global champion for women and girls.
Women’s Footprints in History by UN Women2011-2020
The Fourth Wave of the Women's Movement (i)
Driven by digital activism, this wave targeted sexual harassment, body autonomy, and systemic injustice. Campaigns advanced abortion reform and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
2011
Istanbul Convention is adopted
The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence requires parties to develop laws, policies and support services.
Read the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence2013
Reclaim the Agenda is founded
A coalition of feminist, youth, LGBTQ+ & community organisations that connects and mobilises women to promote feminist activism through education, campaigning and celebration.
Reclaim the Agenda
2013
Haass-O’Sullivan talks
As negotiations to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland failed to reach agreement, Professor Meghan O’Sullivan was the prominent member of the team spearheading inclusive talks.
O'Sullivan meets loyalist paramilitaries
2013
The Women’s Regional Consortium is formed
The Women’s Regional Consortium is committed to representing the views and needs of disadvantaged and rurally isolated women.
2014
Black and Minority Ethnic Women’s Network is established
The Network was established to to promote racial equality for ethnic minority women in Northern Ireland.
Visit the Facebook page of the Black and Minority Ethnic Women’s Network
2015
UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030
17 Sustainable Development Goals are adopted by all UN Member States. Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Read the 17 Sustainable Development Goals2015
Doha Declaration: Promoting a Culture of Lawfulness
The Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration recognizes that gender equality and women’s empowerment is fundamental for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Read the Doha Declaration
2016
Fresh Start Panel report on the Disbandment of Paramilitary Groups
The panellists, including Monica McWilliams, recommend that 'the role of women in transition' is recognised and women are supported to take on 'more leadership roles in public decision making'.
Read the Fresh Start report
2016
Northern Ireland Assembly Women's Caucus established
The Caucus is a united, cross-party forum made up of all current women MLAs. The aim of the Caucus is to address the under-representation of women in politics in Northern Ireland.
More about the Northern Ireland Assembly Women's Caucus
2017
All Party Group on Women’s Health was established
The Group aims to improve health outcomes for women, increase political awareness of the issues and educate and inform MLAs and the general public.
2019
ILO Violence and Harassment Convention
The International Labour Organisation Convention spells out the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. Ratified by both Ireland (2019) and the UK (2022).
2020
First time women in roles of First and Deputy First Minister
Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill are appointed to the most senior positions in the Executive, of First Minister and deputy First Minister respectively, as the first women to hold the office.
2020
Women representation in the NI Assembly rises
Female representatives finally made up 33% of the 90 seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, which historically has the lowest proportion of female representation in the UK devolved administrations.
2020
Northern Ireland abortion law reform begins
The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 mark the first major reform of abortion law in Northern Ireland since the 1967 Abortion Act, allowing legal access to abortion services up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and later in certain circumstances. This reform removes previous criminal penalties and ensures abortion is available free on the NHS.
The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 20202021-2025
The Fourth Wave of the Women's Movement (ii)
Intersectional activism continues online, mobilising around gender-based violence, trans rights, and institutional accountability through grassroots and digital platforms.
2021
The first female chief justice appointed
Lady Chief Justice, the Rt Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan, was appointed as High Court Judge in 2015 and one of the first two women to be appointed to the High Court along with Madam Justice McBride.
2021
Domestic Abuse & Civil Proceedings Act (NI)
The law criminalises controlling or coercive behaviour & psychological, emotional, financial and economic abuse against an intimate partner, former partner or close family member.
Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021
2022
Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims)
The act is designed to help sexual abuse victims get justice affording victims life-long anonymity, criminalising non-fatal strangulation as well as upskirting, downblousing and cyber-flashing.
Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
2022
Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland)
The Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 established a specific offence of stalking in Northern Ireland. Stalking and harassment ARE defined as when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, distressed or threatened.
Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
2023
Online Safety Act
The Act requires tech companies to promote online safety by tackling illegal material and content that is harmful to children, conducting regular risk assessments, and properly enforcing age limits.
Online Safety Act: explainer
2024
Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum
The law requires that schools teach age-appropriate and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion.
Department of Education explainer on Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE)2024
The first Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy launched
The strategy aims address the whole range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender inequality.
The Executive Office: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
2024
Women in Northern Ireland conference
The conference was organised by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Reclaim the Agenda, and the Women's Resource and Development Agency to celebrate 25 years of the Equality Commission.
2025
Women’s Parliament is held at Stormont
The Women’s Parliament took place in the Assembly Chamber in Parliament Buildings. It was an opportunity for women to have their say on issues and decisions that affect their lives.