<
https://theconversation.com/campaign-trail-threats-and-abuse-reinforce-the-need-to-protect-nzs-women-politicians-before-they-quit-for-good-214828>
"A female candidate slapped after a public debate, another whose home was
vandalised, a man trespassed for entering the same house, shouts and jeers
directed at another woman candidate for using te reo Māori – the 2023 election
has certainly had its uglier moments.
But reports of abuse, threats and violence on the campaign trail shouldn’t
surprise anyone. Over the past five years, female politicians have consistently
spoken about the often violent and sexist harassment they receive online.
A recent United Nations study examining the experiences of female journalists
established a clear link between online and real-world violence, particularly
stalking. Another study found female politicians and journalists in Britain and
the United States are abused on Twitter (now X) every 30 seconds.
This is backed up by local politicians’ experiences. Green Party MPs Marama
Davidson and Golriz Ghahraman have both spoken about the serious abuse they
receive online. Ghahraman needed a security escort following a series of death
threats.
In 2021, Christchurch city councillor Sara Templeton and other female leaders,
including mayor Lianne Dalziel and Labour MPs Sarah Pallet and Megan Woods,
were subjected to a relentless campaign of online harassment and increasingly
gendered abuse.
Similar experiences have been shared by National MPs Nicola Willis and Paula
Bennett . Former prime minister Jacinda Ardern also had to tolerate high levels
of online vitriol. What has happened during the election campaign is part of a
clear trend."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
