learn > press releases

Press Releases

NWCI welcomes creation of a national roadmap to Gender Equality in Higher Education

Published: Monday, November 12, 2018

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) has welcomed the publication of the Gender Action Plan 2018-2020 by Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor today to combat gender inequality within Higher Education in Ireland.

NWCI Director Orla O’Connor said: ‘Our third-level institutes have been marred by the long standing absence of women in senior leadership positions.  Just under a quarter of professorships are currently held by women and there has never been a woman president in any of the seven Irish universities. This Action Plan implements a broad range of strong measures that seek to address this imbalance.’

Orla O’Connor continued ‘We have seen the positive impact of proactive steps such as gender quotas in accelerating change within our political system. In the same spirit we welcome the recommendation of the Gender Equality Taskforce to use gender targets and the announcement by the Minister that up to 10 per cent of HEA grant funding will be linked to Higher Education Institutes performance in tackling gender inequality.’

Orla O’Connor concluded: “While we welcome these measures, they must be part of a wider series of reforms at every level to ensure genuine gender equality.  Departments  need adequate resources and an increase in permanent positions so as to make changes sustainable.  

Ends/

For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Head of Communications, NWCI, Tel. 085 858 9104, silkep@nwci.ie