Survey reveals 67% feel schools are unsafe and 89% silently struggle with anxiety and worry.
A national survey capturing the views of teenage girls, the first of its kind in Ireland, was published today, Wednesday 7th May, by The Shona Project revealing widespread anxiety, pressure, and safety concerns among teenage girls across the country.
Over 1,000 young women and non-binary teens aged 12- 19 years took part in the survey, conducted by The Shona Project in partnership with social value research consultancy, The Outcome.
The report details valuable insights from teen girls on education, self-esteem, safety, misogyny, social media, and emotional wellbeing. The key findings below detail a sobering picture of what young women really feel about what’s happening in their lives:
- 67% say their school environment is not a safe or welcoming space to all
- 89% carry anxiety or worry that no one knows about
- 79% sometimes feel “no good at all”
- 80% believe their generation faces more challenges than those before
- 70% feel social media negatively affects their mental health
Tammy Darcy, founder of The Shona Project, says the data reinforces what the organisation sees daily through its school and community work;
“Young women know what’s wrong and they are telling us clearly. This is a call to listen and to act. We need to reflect the views of our young women in the systems that shape their lives. The Shona Project is calling for schools, government, and communities to work with us and other organisations to ensure young women’s voices are heard and we can collectively build a safer, more supportive Ireland for all”.
The pressures teenagers are facing is particularly prevalent in our education system with the study demonstrating that teen girls and non-binary teens do not find school a positive experience. The current assessment procedures and their view that schools do not make everyone feel accepted or represented are two key factors. This is borne out in the support work The Shona Project do with young women who tell them that to survive in school they hide in toilets or skip school entirely.
One 18-year-old respondent described the school system as “suffocating,” saying:
“Our education system is causing bright and talented people to crumble beneath the pressure. The points system is archaic and cruel. The jump to third level is too much – and it shows in dropout rates.”
The report findings are timely and reflective of the growing national conversation on the rise of misogyny with many of those surveyed expressing fear and frustration about how gendered power plays out in everyday life.
- One in five mentioned concern for their own safety; of which 78% mentioned boys and men as the threat.
- 61% regularly struggle with negative body image
- 68% want better support and resources to talk about difficult feelings
One 16-year-old girl reported; ““I have noticed boys of my generation heading in the opposite direction when it comes to gender equality which frightens me. I find they have little to no respect for girls and women and see us as a different species to them.”
“This study needs to be a catalyst for change,” added Beca Wistreich, Director at The Outcome. “We now have robust insights into how young people are experiencing life in Ireland and we hope these findings inform meaningful improvements in schools, communities and policies.”
The Shona Project continues to support young women through mentorship programmes, school workshops, and the annual Shine Festival. In 2025, it will expand its work to engage teenage boys with a view to building empathy, accountability and providing much needed support to Ireland’s young men and boys.
The Shona Project is more than a charity, it is a movement for change in which everyone has a part to play. They are calling on the government and policy makers to:
- Recognise and act on the clear findings detailed in this report.
- Collaborate with organisations like The Shona Project to deliver evidence-based solutions
- Prioritise the emotional and psychological wellbeing of students within our national education strategy
- Invest in evidence based, community-led programmes that meet young people where they are
About The Shona Project
Founded in 2016, The Shona Project empowers, educates, and uplifts girls across Ireland through school workshops, digital media, mentorship, and events. To date, it has supported over 300,000 young women in Ireland. The Shona Project is more than a charity, it is a movement for change in which everyone has a part to play. Awards include the European Citizens’ Prize (2023) and the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year (2021). www.shona.ie
About The Outcome
The Outcome is a Social Value consultancy that supports businesses, non-profits, and public organisations in demonstrating impact, designing effective programmes, and maximising positive change. Its work is grounded in ethical research practices and person-centred methodologies, ensuring that participants feel heard and valued while delivering credible, traceable, and actionable insights. www.theoutcome.ie
