Mayo TD tells of rejecting 'unwanted advice' to shun national politics

Mayo Fine Gael TD Keira Keogh has spoken about her decision to enter public life despite 'unwanted advice' not to embark on such a career.

In a statement marking International Women's Day, the Westport-based deputy said the occasion is about equality, empowerment and celebration - "not just flowers or chocolate."

She elaborated: "The theme is to accelerate action and action is needed now more than ever.

"When we look at this globally, we are 300 years away from ending child marriage and 140 years away from achieving equal representation in leadership in the workplace.

"We cannot and must not forget about the girls in Afghanistan who are now three and half years out of school.

"When we look closer to home, we have to look at the most uncomfortable truth which is that out of 174 possible seats in this Dáil Chamber, only 44 are filled by women.

"I feel very privileged, and I also feel a huge responsibility, to be the fifth ever female TD for Mayo.

"Ireland is currently placed at 99 out of 183 countries listed so we have to move the dial forward.

"I was given some unwanted advice when I was considering running in the general election.

"It was suggested that I should reconsider as I would likely now never get married because female politicians are very unattractive to men.

"Thankfully, I did not take that advice and instead I listened to the advice of mentors like MEP Maria Walsh.

"I bonded with local councillors Donna Sheridan and Alma Gallagher and I was pushed and pushed by my fabulous campaign manager, Joan Jennings.

"I thank Fine Gael for its mentor programme for first-time candidates. We had the amazing Deirdre Campbell and Lavinia Duggan, who encouraged and supported us, along with fantastic speakers and mentors.

"These are the kinds of steps that are needed to help women like myself to get here.

"When I look at my own constituency, one of the key issues that came up during the local and general elections, as I am sure was the case for every TD here, was childcare.

"Families are struggling not just to afford childcare but to access it.

"We hear stories of women having to place their children on waiting lists for crèches before they have even had that really important 12-week scan.

"Much too often it is women who must reluctantly reduce their working hours or step back from their career or from the workforce entirely.

"It was not just women who were saying this to me on the doorsteps. It was their husbands as well, who often feel guilty that this is just the way it is.

"Aside from this, many women continue to perform disproportionate duties, particularly when it comes to their family and childcare responsibilities.

"I hear time and time again of situations where there are two working parents but the woman is often carrying an extra mental load.

"Is the swim bag ready for school in the morning? Are we running low on nappies or formula?

"In my line of work as a behaviour specialist for 19 years, I must say I met some absolutely amazing fathers in my therapy room but it was predominantly females, predominantly mothers who were burnt out, exhausted and sacrificing so much of themselves, their careers and their social lives for their children.

"They did it gladly and will continue to do it but we have to give them more support.

"I really welcome the efforts of this Government and the provision in the programme for government capping childcare costs at €200 per month and moving to some State-funded childcare. That will really help. We need action.

"Without support, how can we expect equal opportunities when so many women are still expected to do most of the unpaid work?

"We also need to look at paternity leave. I submitted a motion at our Ard-Fheis last year increasing it from two to four weeks, which seems kind of crazy when you say it out loud.

"It should be equal and if there was equal leave then maybe there would not be the discrimination that women experience.

"Certainly, increasing paternity leave from two to four weeks would be a start. We should also try to increase the uptake, which I believe is still at only at 40%.

"Paternity leave will support gender equality by challenging stereotypes and traditional norms. It would also promote a more equitable distribution of parental responsibilities.

"Now is the time to continue to make progress and accelerate action in our pursuit of sustainable development goal No. 5.

"We must achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. We have to start challenging stereotypes in everyday conversations.

"There are lots of stereotypes perpetuated in jokes and it is in everyday conversations that we have to call them out.

"We must have males engaging in this conversation with us as well, as much as possible.

"We owe it to the women of yesterday, today and tomorrow to not just settle for progress.

"Progress is a great thing but we must not settle for it.

"We must continue to demand full equality for women in every sector and in every country across the world."