New project shines light on women’s Troubles experiences
Over 300 women were killed during the Troubles.
A new art and video series has been launched to commemorate the role of women in the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The Quiet Courage Project, by victims and survivors groups Seff, saw the creation of tapestry and the recording of 10 interviews of women from across the community.
Over 300 women were killed during the Troubles, and women’s groups played a significant role in peace-building efforts, such as the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, which participated in the Good Friday Agreement negotiations.
Seff’s director Kenny Donaldson said their organisation has felt the role of women in the Troubles “was minimised and hasn’t been given the recognition it deserves”.
“We developed The Quiet Courage project in an effort to help redress this,” he said.
“The Project involved the development of a tapestry which illustrates women as the anchor within families and communities, and that in many circumstances those same women were anchored by their Christian faith.
“Alongside this an initial group of 10 women shared a very personal and intimate reflection around how they sought to keep going in spite of the horrors of terrorism.
“They spoke of how they reared children alone, how they managed to survive financially, how they were required to perform roles that they otherwise would not have had to, how they set aside their own needs to focus on the needs of others and how they were brave enough to believe in and work for peace, a journey which has not yet ended.”
The tapestry highlights that women “carried a particular weight” during the Troubles.