"As Republican women who have been imprisoned for our beliefs, we feel that the struggle for national liberation cannot be wholly separated from the struggle for the complete equality of women. Despite the fact that women are not accepted as equals in society at large, we nonetheless volunteered to take part in this war. Very few of us put much time into the struggle for women's rights ... we thought we could deal with other themes later.
"In prison, we have broadened our political horizons. We have sharpened our vision to recognise the violence against women in families, and in the form of economic exploitation. We have opened up contacts with women outside of prison and developed a dialogue on the day-to-day problems which women face. Now we recognise just how all-encompassing the oppression of women really is."
This is part of a recent statement by some Republican women prisoners. It reflects the changing attitudes to women's liberation within the Republican movement in Ireland.
Women have been involved in the Irish struggle throughout this century. In 1914, Cumann na mBan (Union of Women) was formed. It worked alongside the Irish Citizens Army, a precursor of the IRA. Many members of Cumann na mBan also served with the Irish Citizens Army. The goal was "freedom for our nation and an end to all forms of discrimination against our gender".
In the last couple of decades, changes have been occurring in the IRA. Desire and Maria, provisional members of the IRA, said that in the early 1970s, women "carried weapons, some planted bombs. Today, women volunteers in the IRA are used just as the men are.
"Most men accept us. Some are a little uncertain about us, because they had never before met a woman who was willing to kill. They think that women should have typically woman characteristics and not do such things. Still others are just confused. Sometimes you'll enter a room, and all the chairs will be taken. They want to stand up and offer you a seat. And when you reply that you're fine standing, they are perplexed."
Sinn Féin is sympathetic to many feminist issues. It has good positions on issues that are very sensitive in Ireland, like abortion and divorce, supporting women's right to choose, even though the party's support base is largely Catholic.
But many Republican women still recognise the need for more women in Sinn Féin's leadership. In interviews printed in An Phoblacht, they have stated that women, despite being involved in the peace process at a grassroots level, have not been visible in the negotiations.
"We need creches — places women could leave their children, so they can actually go in and sit at a meeting", said one women. Another emphasised the need for women themselves to overcome the barriers they face: "We definitely need to be treated equally. But we also need to get in and just fight for our corner."
Worldwide, women involved in national liberation and other progressive movements have eventually confronted the question of their roles, as women, in the movement and society. Women in Ireland are increasingly recognising their oppression as women, and the importance of campaigning for women's rights as part of the struggle for Irish self-determination.
Sinn Féin appears to want to have these problems discussed openly. Twice this year, An Phoblacht has featured lengthy interviews with women expressing such concerns.
This desire of the Republican movement in Ireland to strengthen women's participation at all levels will mean that the movement as a whole will also be strengthened.
By Trish Corcoran