Deputy Whitmore outlined many examples. Last week, when International Women's Day was on, we could see so many jokes around why we needed an International Women's Day and if there was an international men's day. Deputy Whitmore has just pointed out exactly why we still need this day, when so many of us are still putting on our live locations when we are getting into a taxi or walking home. International Women's Day is a celebration around the world and in Ireland. It is also a warning that we should not be complacent because the reality for women and girls around the world is that progress is never guaranteed. Right now, we are seeing a rights rollback for women. There are rollbacks on reproductive rights and a reversal of gender equality commitments by some governments. We are seeing some governments withdrawing or refusing to ratify the Istanbul Convention, which is the treaty opposing violence against women and domestic violence. The UN has warned that the regression of women's rights worldwide is occurring due to discriminatory legal frameworks and social norms and gaps between laws and implementation, as well as conflicts, which we know grossly affect women and girls. Many of us in the last few days will have watched Louis Theroux's viral documentary, "Inside the Manosphere". It was shocking in very many ways and I think sad in many ways, but it also offered many insights as to why the manosphere was gaining momentum. The manosphere often promotes narratives that portray women as a threat to men's status or well-being. While there are at times legitimate concerns about men's mental health or social pressures, it should not be seen as a licence to force accountability for this on women. Often, these narratives amplify misogyny, encourage hostility towards women and give rise to extreme ideologies. It is clear that these narratives attempt to shape attitudes among a younger generation, influence their behaviour online and contribute to a modern culture of harassment due to gender. It is imperative that we develop effective responses to the manosphere to promote healthy and, importantly, respectful engagement and dialogue between genders. In Ireland, the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 sets out seven clear goals. These include ambition and opportunity, because too many girls rule themselves out of STEM leadership and public life, but not due to their ability. There is also safety, because domestic, sexual and gender-based violence remains a reality for too many women and girls. Economic independence is there because women still earn less on average and are more likely to be in insecure or part-time employment. Health and well-being are included because women's health, from endometriosis to menopause to mental health, is far too overlooked. There is care, because women continue to carry the greatest share of unpaid care and the mental load that entails. Then there is the goal of challenging stereotypes, because expectations about how women and girls should look or act still shape the opportunities that may be afforded to them. I often hear that I am not smiling enough, waving enough or friendly enough, and I often wonder if those comments go to my male counterparts as much as they go to women. Deputy Cleere is very smiley over there, but I think that is not a comment that male TDs would get much of. Another of the goals is ensuring that the voices of women and girls are heard to help shape the laws and policies that shape their lives. The commitment to the national strategy for women and girls matters. It serves as a vital roadmap to safeguard rights, increase access to justice and opportunity and ensure that women and girls enjoy their lives free from discrimination, fear and violence. When we look at the Houses of the Oireachtas, over 25% of this House is made up of women, but that is only 44 out of 174 TDs. We have made stronger progress in the Seanad with 45% representation but we really have a long way to go. It is not about women versus men; it never has been. It is not a competition or about one being better than the other. It is about recognising that we experience the world differently and those differences matter when decisions are being made. We see it in everyday life; in the school canteen, in the factory break room, or even in the common areas of Leinster House. People naturally gather in groups shaped by their experiences and often their gender. The conversations at those tables are often different - not better or worse, but different. If those different perspectives are missing from the decision-making table, then the decisions we are making are, by definition, incomplete. This is not about balance for the sake of it but it is about making sure the Ireland we shape in this House reflects the full reality of the people we represent. I give a nod to my constituency colleagues who are women and who bring their unique experience and skillsets to their roles and include local councillors, Donna Sheridan, Alma Gallagher and Marie-Thérèse Duffy, and our MEPs, Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry. They all, along with many other professionals around the country, provide their unique experience, be it professional, personal or local, and we are lucky to have them working for their communities. We need many more like them until representation is equal.

Sentiment score: 0.13