October 10, 2023
Swift action needed when women MPs targeted
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The acting Race Relations Commissioner says female politicians need protection against violence directed at them and their whānau.
Last week police trespassed an elderly National Party supporter who entered the home of Māori Party Hauraki Waikato candidate Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke uninvited.
It was one of a series on incidents at the 21-year-old wahine’s whare.
Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo says such attacks have a ripple effect on politicians and their whanau and require swift action from police.
“I think that needs to be taken up by Parliament to discuss of how do we can do it sooner. That is not as physical violence, it’s also through social media, things that people say on social media, and those are permanent records. So I think we need to stand firmer and have much clearer laws and how we address them and address it sooner,” she says.
Dr Sumeo says we need to support, celebrate and protect female MPs.