Sir, – My favourite section of this newspaper is the “Letters to the Editor” page. On nearly every occasion that I read it, I come across an argument or idea that challenges my viewpoint, and forces me to take a fresh perspective into account.
I have observed, however, that the majority of contributors are male. For example, in Saturday’s paper (December 13th), judging by the first names listed, it seems all 24 letters published were by men.
If anyone thinks I'm about to propose "gender quotas" for the Letters page – do not fear! (We are in trouble the day that happens!) I only point this out as I imagine it means that The Irish Times receives a much higher number of contributions from men than from women.
Women in my life – my family, friends, work colleagues, even women I may only hear speak once – regularly challenge my views and force me to take on new perspectives. But I fear that these astute and witty women are not putting pen to paper in order to shape public discourse with their ideas, which is a darn shame.
So I would ask that they do. It’s 2016 and society needs to hear their voices. – Yours, etc,
SINÉAD O’LOGHLIN,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.