2025 was the year Ireland elected its third female President, but only three women were appointed Ministers in the new Cabinet. Down one on the previous government.

It was the year the hit Netflix show Adolescence had everyone talking about the dangers of the 'manosphere' and toxic masculinity and Australia introduced the world’s first social media ban for children.

The year also saw the engagement of pop queen Taylor Swift to her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the relocation of American comedian Rosie O’Donnell and her family to Ireland.

Dublin City Council took steps to protect the Molly Malone statue from being groped by tourists and a row over ‘skorts’ caused ructions within the GAA.

To look back on this pivotal year and how it impacted the lives of women in Ireland and around the world, Roisin Ingle is joined by Irish Times features writer Nadine O’Regan, opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell and social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland.

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If you’re looking for a gift for the book lover in your life, The Women’s Podcast Book Club has you covered. In today’s episode Niamh Towey, Bernice Harrison, Róisín Ingle and Ann Ingle are discussing what books they’ll be giving as gifts this Christmas and the ones they’d like to receive.

Their recommendations include a biography for art lovers, a self-help book about setting “healthy boundaries” and a 2020 novel which has just been made into a film starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. Whether it's a gift for family, friends or even for yourself, we hope there's something for everyone here.

But first, Irish Times podcast producer Suzanne Brennan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the introduction of a social media ban in Australia for anyone under 16 and a new taxi service coming to Dublin which allows customers to choose a female driver.

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This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle are discussing Thirst Trap, the debut novel from Belfast writer Gráinne O’Hare.

The book tells the story of Harley, Róise, and Maggie, three friends in their late twenties who are living together in a run-down house in Belfast, navigating all that life can throw at them - tricky relationships, heartbreaks and grief. As they approach thirty, the trio must confront past losses and decide whether their friendship can withstand the changes ahead.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.