More women are being encouraged to get involved in politics.
A conference in Cork is launching new three research reports, detailing insights into the state of gender equality in Irish politics.
The authors say the research shows that women do want to run, and have the ambition and drive to be elected.
However, they say more needs to be done to support women and to tackle online and social media harassment.
They also say there is "a huge need" for a national strategy to systematically address the problem.
The 'Count Her In' conference is organised by Women for Election.
It will include guests from all political parties including Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.
General Election posters outside Government Buildings in Dublin in 2020. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock PhotoSpeaking ahead of the conference, Deputy Bacik said young women need to see representation in politics.
"It's really to try and encourage more women to get involved in politics; to run for office, to run in the local elections next year, or indeed in the general election," she said.
"Really just to bring women forward, to address the barriers to women's participation and to highlight the low numbers of women in politics in Irish life.
"It's very important that young girls especially... who are thinking perhaps about being politically active, who might have very strong opinions and view themselves, that they would see role models.
"There are women in politics; still too few of us - less than a quarter of our TDs are women.
"So there's still far too few women in the Dáil, but there are a number of us who are now in positions of leadership in political parties.
"I think it's important that we step forward and that we present ourselves as role models," she added.
