New Methodologies in Feminist Legal Studies
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Project Commenced: 1/2/2021 |
Project Completion Date: 1/2/2022 |
Project Title
New Methodologies in Feminist Legal Studies: Legislative Drafting Project
Project PI/s
Dr Eithne Dowds
Other staff or partners
Dr Rachel Killean and Dr Meghan Hoyt
Project Description
Following the significance of feminist judgment projects globally, feminist academics have increasingly turned their attention to legislative drafting as a new and innovative methodology. Efforts have been directed towards demonstrating how traditional legal methods, such as legislative drafting, can provide feminists with a valuable opportunity to rethink and rewrite the law from a feminist perspective thus bridging the divide between theory and practice. Our project aimed to explore the potential of feminist legislative drafting within the context of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is a post-conflict jurisdiction where the legacy of the past can still be felt today, with the continued presence of paramilitary organisations within communities and the lingering strains of post-conflict patriarchy and religious conservatism that filter into the legislative and policy arena. In this jurisdiction, legislative reforms on key areas of feminist research have recently taken place or are presently being discussed (e.g. sexual offences, abortion, domestic abuse); longstanding and legacy concerns stand to be approached anew from feminist perspectives (e.g. the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights, the Northern Ireland Act); and emerging legislative areas can be viewed through a feminist lens (e.g. the new Climate Act). Northern Ireland thus represents an ideal case study for exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by feminist legislative drafting as a new methodology.
Awarding Bodies
Socio-Legal Studies Association
Publications