The student gender ratio of the six architecture schools in Ireland has been close to 50:50 since the 1990s. Yet today, women account for only 30% of Registered Architect members, and for just 16% of practice directors. As often the only female in the meeting room, this is a fact that is highlighted to me on a weekly basis.
To bring about positive change to these statistics, it is important to question why they exist. 'Gender equality in Irish architecture: where are Ireland's women architects?' is a research initiative currently underway by Dr Dervla MacManus, investigating the drop-off in registration and inadequate representation of women in leadership positions in the profession. As part of her research, McManus points to some potential causes, including a lack of workplace flexibility and childcare responsibilities; “An ESRI study says 75% of caring duties are still carried out by women."