‘A lot of people write women off after they have children’

A BEAUTY pageant finalist and mum of two from Kells says she is “proud” to have been Meath’s contestant in the Miss Universe Ireland competition on the first year parents were allowed to enter.

For the first time in its 73-year history, Miss Universe this year lifted the ban on married, divorced, mothers or transgender women applying for the competition along with scrapping an age limit and height requirement.

This was music to the ears of mum-of-two and optometry student Kimberly Mushayabasa (27), who is keen to highlight the multi-faceted nature of women and how they should not be written off after having children.

Kimberley was one of 27 finalists from all over Ireland who competed for the coveted Miss Universe Ireland crown last Friday at a ceremony at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk.

Sofia Labus, a 21-year-old UCC criminology student from Montenotte, was crowned winner by last year’s Miss Universe Ireland, Aisha Akorede at the event. But despite not winning, the competition was a victory for mothers according to Kimberley who said:

“The competition always had restrictions, you had to be a certain height, unmarried with no kids and this year is the first year where all of that has changed so it is a really momentous occasion,” said Kimberley.

“This platform gives me the opportunity to highlight causes close to my heart and to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter the challenges they may face,” she added.

“Representing Meath on this stage was a huge honour as I was eager to showcase the strength and spirit of our community.”

The Zimbabwe native who is a full-time optometry student in TUD in Grangegorman and volunteer with Vision Ireland in Navan believes that women should be encouraged to follow their passion in life.

“A lot of people write women off after having children like you should just be confined to be being domesticated and taking care of your children, not out of choice but there is a perception that you can’t balance working full time and having kids and I want to show that these things are possible,” said Kimberley.

“Obviously more adequate childcare services are needed so women can more easily pursue an education and work outside of the home,” she added.

“So many people discouraged me from going into education and said I should stay at home with the kids and now I’m in my third year and the kids are thriving. They wake up and ask if I’m going to university to check people’s eyes and help them see. It’s great that they see me pursuing something that is important to me and they will know that if they decide to have kids when they are older, that it is not a barrier.”

Kimberley whose son has autism is also passionate about achieving equality for all children.

“There is such a disparity from having a neurotypical child and a child with additional needs just with things like getting them into school is hard and it is mentally draining on parents,” said the Kells resident.

“I understand first hand the challenges parents face including the inability to work when forced to home school due to the lack of ASD-specific classes and schools, which places an immense strain on families seeking proper support and education for their children,” she added.

After an initial challenge to find a school to accommodate her son, a place became available in a nearby school and they haven’t looked back since.

“His speech has really come on, he is counting, reading, colouring, his social skills have really improved,” said Kimberley.

“The SNA’s and teachers are absolutely amazing,” she added.

Optometry was always in sight for the Miss Universe finalist who took the leap into full time education in recent years.

“I missed out on my points ten years ago when I did the Leaving Cert, then I did a PLC then I got offered the course,” “ said Kimberley.

“But I got cold feet at the time and went to work as a waitress for a year and a half and did an internship with Google before my first child was born,” she added.

“The idea of studying optometry never left me and a few years ago I decided to just go for it,” she added.

“I can’t change people’s perspective on life, everybody has the right to have certain viewpoints but at least let me help them see the world better.

“I really want to make a tangible difference in the field of eye health.”