Former Mayo TD speaks out on 'personalised online abuse of female politicians'

FORMER Mayo TD Lisa Chambers has today spoken out on personalised online abuse of female politicians.

In an interview with Miriam O'Callaghan on RTÈ Radio One , she described online abuse as 'quite intensive'.

She elaborated: “There’s a different level for female politicians, it’s a lot more personalised, a lot more based on, you know, on the tone of your voice, the colour of your hair, how you dress.

"I’m pregnant currently so that was coming up too - she’ll be taking maternity leave, no point electing her,” she explained.

“There’s an extra level and you have to be so careful on how you come across.

“Being assertive for a woman is often being bossy or aggressive.

“There’s a different standard."

Ms. Chambers said that words have an impact and appealed to members of the media and “nameless individuals” to re-think their actions.

“It’s the online faceless, nameless individuals that just sit on their computers on their couch and just type the most vile and hurtful comments. They do impact, words have an impact.

“But, also, to those working in the media - sometimes, the stories that you run and the way that they are written, they fuel that online hatred so there is a link.

"I think we have to have a very mature conversation about that,” she stated.

The Castlebar-based Fianna Fàil representative confirmed she was not “finished yet” with politics. 

“I feel like I’m only getting started in politics,” she said.

“I feel I have more to do, I don’t know what that is exactly but I’m certainly not going to close the door on it this week, so we’ll see what comes.”