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"Emotion dolls" used in Sweden to ensure children don't fall into gender stereotypes. FREDRIK SANDBERG/AP/Press Association Images

Column Men need to help with gender equality - but it's good for them too

Ireland has a huge way to go in terms of gender equality but the onus is on men to do something about it, says Plan Ireland CEO David Dalton.

GENDER EQUALITY HAS still not been achieved in Ireland – and it’s not just up to women to make the improvements. The onus too is on men to do something about it.

Ireland currently ranks 79th in the global table of female representation in parliament. Of Ireland’s elected deputies, only 14.5 per cent are women. To offer a comparison, Rwanda’s parliament is 53 per cent female.

We, as a country, have a huge way to go. And I’m saying this after a new report has just revealed some shocking statistics in so-called developing countries.

Only 7 per cent of board members in Irish companies are female. We are poor performers on a lot of these barometers.

That is why we are calling on men to do something. Most parliamentarians are men, most CEOs are men so it incumbent on them to help sort out this issue.

In business, some men still believe that a woman “goes to have babies” and disrupts the business model. These beliefs make life very difficult for women.

But in helping get rid of such gender stereotypes, men will also be helping themselves.

Debunking myths can lead to healthier men and better fathers

Males under the age of 24 generally try to live up to the stereotype of “being a man”.  They live harder, becoming more susceptible to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and road traffic accidents.

On the domestic front, fathers could stand back a little bit and see what they can do to break down such gender stereotypes. Could they help more with household chores or caring for the younger children? By doing so, these small changes can give an example to their sons and lead to a new breed of male.

If men are willing to share the power burden, it will be good for them too. There is a feeling among men that they need to be the main bread-winner. There is a sense of failure if they not providing everything for their family.

If there is less of a gender stereotype displayed to boys and if they buy into gender equality and a new image of the male, they are under less pressure to conform. They will live longer, become better fathers and more-rounded adults.

However, if these things are not experienced at home, it is important that the issues are addressed in school.

We have already started to debunk the myths. For example, school books are more representative and include all sorts of ethnic groups and different family dynamics. We are starting a pre-school level to get rid of gender stereotypes.

Boys and girls should care about gender equality

No matter where in the world you are, gender equality is good for boys, as well as girls.

Girls’ and women’s rights are human rights. It can often be helpful for men to look at it more parochially – imagine how they want their own mothers, sisters, girlfriends or wives to be treated in the greater world. If men and boys believe in justice and fairness, they will be able to see that not all women enjoy the same level of respect in the community.

Plan International works in 50 developing countries with a vision of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity.

In our latest report, Because I am a Girl: The State of the World’s Girls, we found that greater gender equality will help boys to succeed in school, to be comfortable with their own identity, to be confident in expressing emotions and be equipped with the skills to build positive relationships of mutual trust and respect.

A new perspective on gender is about a more productive way of viewing power relationships to benefit both sexes.

In developing countries, a lot of inequality and violence is generational and our work is about breaking cycles.

Education needs to start at a young age and it is vital that families become aware that educating girls is just as worthy an investment as educating boys.

In some countries – for example India and China – even young children believe that if resources are scare then it is better to educate the boy, rather than the girl.

In a perverse way, this belief is perpetuated by the parents. In some cases, the female child is even less nourished than the male. Families often see their sons as a better “investment” than their daughters.

However, we have found that if a girl spends just one more year in school, then she will ean about 20 per cent more annually throughout her lifetime. And about 90 per cent of that income goes directly to the household. We therefore encourage girls across the world, particularly in developing countries, to stay in school longer, look for a job, get married later in life and have fewer but healthier children.

As told to Sinéad O’Carroll following the launch of the 2011 Because I am a Girl: The State of the World’s Girls report. David Dalton is CEO of Plan Ireland, which runs the Because I am a Girl campaign, tackling issues of gender inequality. For further information, please visit www.plan.ie.

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    Mute Carmella Mcgilvery
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:31 PM

    if television adds 10 pounds …does ryan tubridy even exist ??

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    Mute Seth Mcguinness
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    Dec 13th 2015, 12:25 AM

    He exists as pure energy just for his wages.

    13
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    Mute Luke Sarpish
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:03 PM

    Mark Whalburg didn’t even to get to sit down before chopstick Tubridy asked about his Irish roots.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:51 PM

    Sure we claim them just because their great great aunt was raped by an Irish slave-owner ffs.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:51 PM

    Great great grandmother obviously :-).

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    Mute Free comment ratings
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:02 PM

    Thanks for clearing that up peter.

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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:50 PM

    Ah he probably tipped the two of them , ur ok..

    27
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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:03 PM

    The Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy.

    Ireland’s answer to I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:34 PM

    Ireland’s Alan Partridge.

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    Mute DonalC
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:43 PM

    Brendan O Connor was absolutely horrific as well. People let D’Arcy blind them into forgetting how crap the two of them were. Just rewatch that Pussy Riot interview and tell me O’Connor was doing a decent job!

    Irish TV is just dreadful in general

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    Mute Hypernova
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:29 PM

    In fairness Donal,I don’t think anyone on Earth would be able to have a good interview with Pussy Riot.They were a small bit strange and the language barrier didn’t help.

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    Mute Myles Sheehan
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    Dec 12th 2015, 3:56 PM

    Brendan O’Connor’s interview with Liam Gallagher was one of the worst things I’ve seen any any talk show. He’s such a cringey bollocks.

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    Mute Tony Le Blanc
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    Dec 12th 2015, 4:32 PM

    Really John? That’s like trying to decide which animals dung you would rather have thrown at you.

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    Mute Seán Domhnall O'Sullivan
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    Dec 12th 2015, 8:36 PM

    Pat Kenny with Pete Doherty was the one that sent me over the edge. Truly awful even if I’d ever defend rte, which I wouldnt

    13
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    Mute Linny
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:20 PM

    Every time Tubridy said “You guys”, I died a little inside.

    208
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    Mute Alan Biddulph
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:08 PM

    So tell me about your kids, are they normal? Amazing journalistic skills from the the main man.

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    Mute Fred Astare Astare
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:09 PM

    If Tubridy is talented, I’m Santa Claus!

    91
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    Mute Periguin
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:13 PM

    Dear Fred,
    I’ve been a very good boy this year……..

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    Mute Fred Astare Astare
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:20 PM

    Dear Periguin, I will give you all you wished for this year……

    First prove to me Tubridy is “Talented”

    Ho! Ho! …..Ho!

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:27 PM

    When the likes of Tubridy and that dreadful Xpose crew meet a Hollywood Star, I want to barf.. Have you got Irish roots/did u have the craic in an Irish pub/would u like to make a film in Ireland/when are you coming back.. These questions are patronising.. I am sure the stars in question find them boring too

    148
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    Mute Ben Connolly
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:59 PM

    Tubridy asked them are your kids normal omg what a question

    58
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    Mute Patrick James Walsh
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:36 PM

    Tubridy is just so plain cringe inducing, embarrassing to watch him make an idiot of himself, night after night, surely there is someone reasonably competent in RTE to host a chat show without having to watch this car crash tv.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Dec 12th 2015, 3:19 PM

    I had to turn it off.. To cringey!

    35
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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:48 PM

    Isn’t it great to be known as a nation of drunks.

    44
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    Mute Martin Healy
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    Dec 12th 2015, 3:35 PM

    Ryan turbridy he’s as sincere as a prostuitute’s kiss

    41
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    Mute Tony Le Blanc
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    Dec 12th 2015, 4:35 PM

    Tubridy; Irelands answer to a question nobody has ever asked.

    36
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    Mute bacoxy
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:24 PM

    Where is the story about Paul Murphy and the FOI request from Irish water gone? Why have ye removed it?

    35
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    Mute Fred Astare Astare
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:24 PM

    Mr. Tubridy reminds me of a Skoda with alloy wheels, pardon me if I sound a little biased.

    24
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    Mute Fred Astare Astare
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:26 PM

    I meant the 70′s Skodas, Not too many reds now boys and girls, or your wishes wont come true.

    Merry Christmas………

    23
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    Mute Periguin
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:27 PM

    Lada comes to mind, with a sunroof and heated rear window.

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    Mute Fred Astare Astare
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:31 PM

    Thats what I meant>>> DOH…

    You’ve been a very good boy Periguin………Now… besides removing a stick insect from the National Broadcaster…..What would you like for Christmas?

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    Mute Periguin
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:39 PM

    ummm, world peace and a decent political structure and represntatives. Impossible, i know, but.

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    Mute Fred Astare Astare
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:58 PM

    You’re right, Impossible, meanwhile here is a Ryan Tubridy colouring book with markers, shouldn’t take you too long to fill in………….

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    Mute Richard McCarthy
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:24 PM

    Glad you cleared that up Fred,for the record the 152 hi tec Skoda Octavia 2.0 L TDI combi L@K is one mean machine,best value for money car around bar none,no wonder the taxi drivers at Stansted airport prefer them.

    15
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    Mute Fred Astare Astare
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:36 PM

    Ehhh. I had one, you are right, a great yoke, unfortunately I got it mixed up with my past life as Periguin pointed out the Czech/Russian LADA, which in all honesty were post war cans of proverbial P@ss,

    13
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    Mute molly coddled
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    Dec 12th 2015, 4:30 PM

    What do you call a Lada at the top of a hill?….a miracle.

    15
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    Mute Periguin
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    Dec 12th 2015, 5:51 PM

    Nah, ready to start.

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    Mute Denise Friary
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:39 PM

    That Turdy is a bad example of a man I ever did see.

    21
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    Mute Periguin
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    Dec 12th 2015, 1:42 PM

    I does be always listening in english grammar class and do be doing all my homework.

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    Mute Bart Renolds
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    Dec 12th 2015, 3:18 PM

    Tubbs is rte ‘s love child

    18
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    Mute lavbeer
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:11 PM

    Tubridy is though evidence that we as a people can see the bigger picture and the better future by not holding the actions good or bad of his grandfather against him.

    Long may this continue.

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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Dec 12th 2015, 2:29 PM

    His grandad was in the ira but besides that tubs was in fianna fail, and paid hundreds of thousands of Euro for being an apologist for the govt. I’m glad I’ve never bought a tv license.

    32
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    Mute James Keane
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    Dec 12th 2015, 7:45 PM

    Why can’t we get a proper presenter to do our number one talk show. I mean Kenny was ok but tubs is actually embarrassing and this season is his worst yet. D’Arcy actually does a worse job, which is sayin something too.

    11
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    Mute paul kelly
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    Dec 13th 2015, 3:21 PM

    If Ryan turd was a chicken curry….

    1
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