January 24, 2024
Abuse affects wairua of wāhine MPs
Labour MP Willow Jean Prime says the abuse women politicians face can take its toll on the soul.
Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman has pointed to the stress she was under in an explanation for alleged shoplifting, which she said was completely out of character.
Ms Prime says when she entered parliament six years ago with a seven-week old baby in her arms, she drew some savage comments about being a breastfeeding mama.
Her use of te reo Maori in the House also brings a hostile response.
“The comment we often hear is ‘that’s just politics, you have to have a thick skin, you just need to suck it up, it comes with the territory.’ All those sorts of things are not helpful when you are on the receiving end of those person attacks and those sorts of comments and it takes a huge amount of energy to manage those, to not let those negative comments penetrate and impact on your wairua,” Ms Prime says.