Introduction

This chapter outlines the work of key women activists within the National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups (NFGLG) who are working to support their communities locally and nationally to gain stable places to live and to promote improved understanding and relationships between the settled and Gypsy/Traveller communities. A major aspect of their work involves advocating for planning permission for families, as well as educating officials and the public about Gypsies’ and Travellers’ culture, lives and needs, and commemorating Gypsy history.

Through reflections on their experiences, underpinned by feminist community work theory and insights from other theory and research, the chapter explores the gender dimensions of activism for Gypsy and Traveller women, the deep roots in their communities that generate both strengths and barriers and the theoretical developments their practice suggests. It reflects a partnership between activism and research in being co-written by Gypsy activists and a non-Gypsy researcher who had the privilege of joining these discussions. The authors also acknowledge the inspiring contribution of other women, some of whose work is reflected in other chapters or referred to below.

After outlining a feminist perspective on community development and the experience of gender within Gypsy and Traveller communities, the chapter considers the development of Gypsy and Traveller women's activism, before focusing on the experience of NFGLG activists. It concludes by examining some of the main differences from and parallels with ‘mainstream’ feminist community action, reflecting minority group experiences.

Women and community development

Gypsy and Traveller women, like many other women who are active on behalf of their communities, may not identify as ‘feminist’. Media portrayals have not assisted understanding of this term. However, feminist writers, including activists, practitioners and academics (for example Mayo, 1977; Curno et al, 1982; Ledwith 2005; Dominelli 2006) have focused on the activities of women in communities that had otherwise remained obscured because men often took the prominent roles while women undertook vital activity behind the scenes. They have brought women's wide-ranging activism to light in order to celebrate it and analyse its relationship to women's lives and the principles that inform its specific contributions to community development (and have in turn informed community development more broadly).