Are Men and Women Truly Treated Equally in Society? Episode 404

In this episode, Niall asks a hard question that many are afraid to voice: Are men and women truly treated equally in modern society? The discussion is sparked by an email from a male listener who says he was passed over for a management promotion in favour of a woman, despite having more experience and being told he was next in line. According to a friend in HR, the decision came down to gender — his company already had two male managers, and they “needed a woman” to balance the optics.

The email raises deep questions about gender quotas, meritocracy, and whether attempts to correct historical imbalances are now causing new forms of discrimination.

Some callers believe we are finally seeing long-overdue progress. They argue that women have spent decades fighting for space in male-dominated fields and that occasionally favouring a female candidate is part of addressing past injustice. For them, it’s not about ignoring merit, but correcting systemic imbalance.

Other callers strongly disagree, saying equality should never come at the expense of fairness. They feel gender quotas are increasingly being used to justify hiring decisions that overlook the most qualified person — and that this silent shift is leaving many men feeling sidelined and voiceless.