Dr. Katriona O'Sullivan:

I thank Senator Higgins. A thing that frustrates me in conversations about gender or class equality is the charitable nature in which we frame this. People might say, "Oh, God, the poor women need our help." Excuse me saying, "Oh, God". Men rolls their eyes at having the conversation again. The reality is that without women's voices in technology and STEM, we are missing out on wonderful creative leaders who can change what we produce and provide in STEM, technology and engineering. When I talk to Microsoft and Accenture about working class girls, it is not a charitable endeavour. I am telling them that they are missing out on a talented pool of workers. We have all heard about seatbelts that are only tested on males or recruitment practices that are automated and move females out because the practices only use male data. There are many ethical reasons to include working class women or ethnic minorities. There is also the potential for creativity. Research shows that companies that empower women to lead their work are more profitable, more creative and have happier workforces.

This is not just something we should consider because it is fair; it is actually better for society and industry. That is one of the reasons I am so passionate about it. The Senator spoke about role models and companies. I will mention one thing we have done. The systems approach I am really passionate about is not just about changing the young women but about changing industry and society. The majority of women who are in industry are quite affluent. They have forged their way through this male-dominated path and been able to get there and succeed. We have developed a programme where we teach them about equality, diversity and inclusion. We are actually saying what it is like. You are not allowed to slag someone's accent when they walk into a room or to say "Hey, how are you? What's the story?" as if that is funny. That is classist and makes people feel separated. There is a whole piece of work to do on educating industry about how to be more inclusive. We should lead on that as a society. We should teach industry how to be more inclusive because it is beneficial for it.

I am a working-class girl and I was a lone parent. I was forced into a community employment, CE, scheme here and another one when I was living in Dublin 1. I am really intelligent and graduated with a first from Trinity College but, at that point, I was just told that this was what I was to do because that is what everyone else living in a flat in Summerhill does. However, I met a woman by accident on the street who had got into Trinity College through the access programme and thought I could do that because she was like me. That is a really anecdotal story but the truth is that, unless we see and celebrate women from every background, things will not change and we will not move those women from the social welfare class into roles and responsibilities where they can achieve. The celebration piece, showcasing what can be done and supporting women all the way through those initial CE schemes and courses until they become professional in whatever way they want is really essential.