Women

Women into Politics is a Belfast-based organisation that combines discussion and
experiential-based learning to better familiarise women with politics. Peace and
Reconciliation Group (PRG) staff members are trained to bring this innovative
programme, by request, to local groups of women. The challenging and exciting way
in which these sessions look at local, national and international politics often result in
various groups requesting further training/education. The following two groups
stemmed from the requests of Women into Politics graduates.

Joined Women's Project - This group of women was created when a group of
Catholic women and a group of Protestant women asked to meet with women from
the other community to discuss questions that came up when they were on the Women into Politics course. This group meets on a monthly basis to build relationships, host guest speakers and discuss topics of interest. The group hopes to eventually take a trip that would allow them to examine, more closely, the governmental systems that effect Northern Ireland.

"It has made me look again at my own lack of understanding."
"If there is no trust, then we will remain in the quagmire of our past."

Waterside Women's Group - The women who comprise this single-identity group
requested further political educational opportunities after completing the first course
of Women into Politics, "Let's Talk Politics." After several months studying and
discussing the politics of Israel and Palestine with a visiting American professor, the
women took "Making the Leap," the second course in the Women into Politics line
up. This course provided them with practical skills for becoming involved in their
local communities and on a wider-level (i.e. media, lobbying and negotiation skills).
They are currently meeting once a week to learn more about the history of European
Democracy and the role of the European Union in the politics of Northern Ireland.