Women parliamentarians of Northern Ireland

We need your help!

 

Description supplied in caption below.

A special debate in the Assembly Chamber to celebrate International Women's Day in 2019; the event included 70 young women from 28 schools and youth organisations (image: Northern Ireland Assembly Commission).

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29 female MLAs of the Northern Ireland Assembly, photographed in June 2021

(image: Northern Ireland Assembly Commission).

 

The representation of women has come a long way since 1921 but, as the graph below highlights, has further to go.

In support of the Assembly Women’s Caucus Manifesto, we plan to continue to document and highlight the achievements of the women elected to the parliamentary institutions of Northern Ireland by gathering further sources and stories for our online exhibition.

If you would like to help us tell the story of these women, please email us on wponi@niassembly.gov.uk.

 

Female representation in the legislatures of the UK and Ireland 1998-2021

Line graph showing the female representation in the legislatures of the UK and Ireland from 1998-2021. In the Scottish Parliament representation has been fairly consistent, moving between approximately 35-45%. Similarly the Welsh Senedd has been fairly consistent moving between 40-50%. In the House of Commons representation has slowly increased from around 20% to 35%. in the Northern Ireland Assembly representation has increased greatly from around 8% to 30%. In Dail Eireann representation has steadily increased from around 10% to 20%.

 

Thank you! This concludes our online exhibition looking into the history of women parliamentarians in Northern Ireland.

If you have enjoyed this online exhibition you can also download a PDF version: