TWEE-Q.com, set up by Crossing Boarders, a Swedish equal opportunities organization, and Joan Smith, British writer and activist, aims to highlight gender inbalance on social media.
After inputting a user's Twitter handle (for example, @newstalkfm), the last 100 tweets are analysed and a “Twee-Q” score between 1 and 20 given, with 1 being completely male, 20 being completely female, and 10 being neutral.
The topic of gender equality and gender quotas has been headlines recently, as well as surveys showing that women are playing a large role in Ireland’s recovery. In February, the Constitutional Convention rejected a proposal to promote women’s participation in public and political life as part of Bunchract na hEireann.
Using Twee Q, a straw poll of some of the most active TDs on Twitter shows some gender unbalance, with male retweets outnumbering female ones 3 to 1. The most active TD on Twitter, Fine Gael Deputy Alan Farrell, scored the lowest. Taoiseach Enda Kenny retweeted 82% men, although has only just over 200 tweets.
Alan Farrell (@alanfarrell), Fine Gael TD for Dublin North - 11,600+ tweets
91% men and 9% women
Farrell highlights funding opportunity for Fingal voluntary groups bit.ly/18ffRPi
— Alan Farrell TD (@AlanFarrell) May 2, 2013
Jerry Buttimer (@jerrybuttimer), Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central - 6,300+ tweets
65% men and 35% women
@siobhancdp la iontach . Oiche mhaith
— Jerry Buttimer TD (@jerrybuttimer) May 13, 2013
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain), Labour TD for Dublin Bay North - 5,700+ tweets
60% men and 40% women
DCC proposal for disposal of Oscar Traynor Rd lands to facilitate Maxol Garage has been withdrawn. Discussions with stakeholders to follow.
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (@AodhanORiordain) May 14, 2013
Colm Keaveney (@Colm_Keaveney), Labour TD for East Galway - 4,800+ tweets
72% men and 28% women
@dublin15nick @horganp For what it's worth I can testify you refer to one of the finest Labour members in this country.
— Colm Keaveney T.D (@Colm_Keaveney) May 13, 2013
Paschal Donohoe (@Paschald), Fine Gael TD for Dublin Central - 4,600+ tweets
72% men and 28% women
@raymcadam @micklindsay83 @paulfoxdublin thanks all for your help
— Paschal Donohoe (@Paschald) September 20, 2012
Note that only the 100 most recent tweets are calculated.
