When we invest in women and girls, we invest in the future for every community and every business. When we back women and girls with equal opportunity across education pathways and industry, minds shift, and culture slowly begins to change. It may surprise many readers, but in Ireland in 2026, we continue to hold young girls back through discriminatory practices developed in the last century, that continue, largely unchallenged, today. The Department of Education reports that while 96% of boys schools offer a science, technology, engineering, and maths (Stem) subject at second level, only 71% of girls’ schools do. It matters when the effect of denying girls access to applied Stem subjects at second level is to quietly write them out of the economies of the future.

Source: Irish Examiner January 21, 2026 11:30 UTC