Irish government to deploy new national strategy for women and girls

The Irish government has published a five-year National Strategy for Women and Girls that commits the state to reshaping what citizens see and say online.

The document identifies the "manosphere" and male influencers who "propagate misogynistic views" as threats, warning that young men and boys risk being "indoctrinated" by such content. It also names "tradwife" influencers, many of them women who advocate traditional homemaking, as promoting "restrictive, stereotypical roles."

The stated objectives include reducing "people's exposure to harmful gender norms and stereotypes, including in online spaces," countering "misinformation related to gender equality," and developing policy on "restrictive masculinities." The Online Safety Code and the National Counter Disinformation Strategy are listed as the frameworks that will help deliver this.

The reach extends beyond speech. The strategy calls for mandatory gender training for officials involved in policymaking and budget allocation, embedding a gender lens across all national frameworks including climate and economic development, and strengthening gender budgeting in every government department.

Led by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and co-designed with the National Women's Council, the plan will run to 2030 through two Action Plans and cross-departmental task groups. The costing has not yet been prepared.