On Wednesday, 5 November 2025, the National Women's Council launched a new report titled "Women who Lead" written by Professor Pauline Cullen, Sociology Department, Maynooth University:
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/11/04/increasing-number-of-women-in-politics-leads-to-more-diverse-policies-nwc-report-finds/
The new report shows how women’s political representation in Ireland has influenced key policies on reproductive rights and gender-based violence. Women leaders are more likely to diversify policy agendas, increase their parties’ emphasis on social justice issues, and initiate more family-friendly and feminist policies.
The report draws on two case studies: the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and creation of Cuan, the State’s domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency. These cases illustrate where women leaders acted as amplifiers and accelerants for progress. However, they require positional and active power, and support to make lasting impact.
Recommendations from the report include gender quotas for Local Elections, including mechanisms to dismantle structural barriers and increase representation of women in all their diversity.
Read the full report: https://www.nwci.ie/images/uploads/NWC_Women_who_lead_final.pdf
