There's been huge progress when it comes to appreciating women’s culture and activities, according to one sports commentator. 

Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney wrote in the Irish Independent this week that men only consume media culture and stories specifically catered to men. 

According to Simon, just 19% of readers of the top 10 best-selling women authors in the world are men. 

Off the Ball Head of Content Nathan Murphy said he felt “thoroughly modern” after reading this opinion. 

“My most listened-to artist on Spotify last year was Boy Genius,” he told The Hard Shoulder. 

“Three women of varying sexualities – I never knew this was an out-there thing.” 

He also said he thinks the books Simon was talking about in his piece were “a book with a pink cover of champagne”. 

“The marketers are clearly not aiming it at men,” he said. “They don't want men to read this book.” 

Women in sports

Nathan also pointed out, as a sporting expert, that you can see the growth of women’s popularity on the field. 

“There has been enormous progress in a very short period of time,” he said. 

“You can look at the amount of people that go to female sporting events, but within that more men go than women. 

Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan celebrates winning the Silver medal in the Women's 5000m final at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

“There is a lot you can look at around the sport and the interest levels – I think back three, four years ago, we did the ‘20 by 20’ movement to promote women's sport and we had one of our best ever live shows. 

“We had almost every great Irish sports person there and you ask them who was your hero, and they all said Sonia [O’Sullivan].” 

Female-centric content

Comedian Julie Jay is no sports expert, but she said on the comedy scene there is great appreciation for women. 

“There's always room for improvement, but I do think there is a greater appreciation for female-centric content,” she said. 

“Last summer, for example, we had a Comedy Club and we were booking acts, my husband booked eight comedians. 

“We actually booked four women and four women - It just happened organically. 

“I really do think men are consuming female-centric content.” 

She also pointed out one of the biggest films of 2023 Barbie was extremely women centred. 

“To be honest, I just wasn't into that whole that whole class about her inventing the nuclear bomb,” she said.