‘What example am I setting my daughter? Is she happy? Does she value her worth?’
‘I have a simple approach to online abuse: I use the mute button’
Iwas a sensitive child, very much affected by issues I heard on the news, or read about in school around injustices against other girls. I suppose I am thinking about centuries-old customs of feet-binding in China, or female genital mutilation. I always felt a deep sense of angst and powerlessness for those nameless girls.
As I have moved into adulthood and, in particular, into the role of politician, I have had to accept that I cannot solve all the world’s problems. However, I can use my position and influence to push for change within Northern Ireland.
As such, many of the issues that I campaign on relate to social justice. For example, I want to see an inquiry into the mother and baby homes, where mothers had their children taken from them by the state. I want to see the removal of the defence of “reasonable chastisement” (ie banning smacking) and I am pushing for the banning of smoking in cars with under-18s present.
The women whom I admire the most are those who are fighting for social change. I am thinking about Grainne Teggart of Amnesty International and her work around abortion law reform; Charlotte Caldwell and her fight to make medicinal cannabis products available for neurology patients; or Margaret McGuckin, with her high-profile campaign to push for redress and recognition for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse.
There are other women whom I feel that are inspirational in their professionalism and ability to deliver. Women like Suzanne Wylie, chief executive of Belfast City Council, and Marie-Therese McGivern, CEO of Belfast Metropolitan College, are phenomenal in how they have represented our capital city and contributed to the growth of our economy in very challenging circumstances.
It is not easy being a female politician; while it is always a given that it can be a thankless task, gender does come into play in terms of online abuse — much of which is just gratuitously offensive. I have a very simple approach to it: I ignore it and use the mute button.
However, I am very conscious at the minute about mental health and the negative impact trolling can have on the recipients. So, I think we all just need to call it out. The perpetrators are usually weak and powerless themselves.
There will also always be the added challenges of being a mother working in politics. The evening meetings and late sittings in the Chamber are not conductive to family life.
However, all families face some logistical challenges to ensure that children are fed and are safe. My children are now 20 and 17, so they are self-sufficient and only seem to need me now for lifts and money!
On International Women’s Day, I do reflect on what example I am setting for my daughter. Is she empowered? Does she value her worth? Is she happy?
I suppose this is another way that I can use my influence to ensure that there is one more women going out into the world ready for what life has to throw at her.
As I reflect on what drives me forward, my awareness grows that life is short and we all have to make the most of it when we are here on Earth.
My mother passed away a couple of years ago from cancer and, in her last weeks, she talked about just wanting to get to Donegal one last time with her sisters.
So, I suppose my message to others is to accept that invitation, go to that event and make that call to reach out to loved ones.