Agreement Reached in the Multi-Party Negotiations - Transitional ...

The section has no specific reference to gender.
3.7 Policing and Justice
Policing is deemed a ‘central issue in any society’ and must be capable of ‘attracting and
sustaining support from the community as a whole’. The Agreement advocates
‘development of a police service representative in terms of the make-up of the community
as a whole’, but essentially means equality vis-à-vis ethos or political allegiance. The police
service must be ‘representative of the society it polices’. An Independent Commission
would make recommendations on future policing arrangements and there would be a
‘parallel wide-ranging review of criminal justice’. The motive underpinning the reviews is
the re-legitimating of the police and justice system in the eyes of the Nationalist
community. However, the attitude and approach of the review groups were potentially
broad enough to address issues of specific concern to women such as their underrepresentation
in these areas and gender specific violence.
3.8 Prisoners
There are no gender specific aspects under this section.
3.9 In Summary
Essentially concerned with bridging the sectarian divide, the Agreement included equality
and human rights provisions. Strand One put in place a new political, devolved assembly
to ensure participation by political parties but nothing specifically ensured women’s
participation. Safeguards were designed to deliver Nationalist/Unionist power-sharing, but
would not necessarily deliver the equal political participation of women.
The creation of institutions, such as the Civic Forum and the North/South Ministerial
Council, involving groups from civil society, could afford women an opportunity to
participate in the process. Guaranteeing human rights facilitated agreement between
Nationalists and Unionists but the creation of institutions based on equality and human
rights could potentially benefit others outside the two main traditions, including women.
Provisions in the Agreement concerning prisoners, victims, security, decommissioning,
policing, and criminal justice make no reference to gender but reviews of associated
institutions could highlight sexist as well as sectarian practices and inequalities. Reform,
motivated to ensure the inclusion of Nationalists, could also open up possibilities for
women.
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