Who we are
The Belfast Women’s Assembly was launched in the Mayor’s Parlor at Belfast City Hall on 29 February 2024. Dr Betty Carlisle MBE, Shankill Women’s Centre CEO, welcomed those in attendance including women councilors, MPs, MLAs and representatives from all the political parties. She commented, ‘I look forward to the development of this space for inclusive conversations about the future. Women have a huge stake in these debates.’
The Belfast Women’s Assembly is an independent nonparty political civic organisation that calls for women’s full participation in preparation for potential new constitutional arrangements across these islands and within Europe post-Brexit.
Guided by principles of equality, rights, and safety, BWA foresees a future where these principles are central to constitutional change. BWA facilitates and encourages inclusive public and private conversations across Belfast and beyond.
BWA welcomes engagement with all viewpoints on Irish unity including positions for and against a referendum. It welcomes the perspectives of those who are uncertain. We recognise that if the time comes everyone will need to know what they are voting for in any constitutional referendum.
Beginnings
The Belfast Women’s Assembly held a public launch in February 2024, and subsequently formed a voluntary group of individual women from nationalist, unionist and other backgrounds. Today, we engage in dialogue with women across Belfast who want to discuss their constitutional futures through a feminist framework.