Port Stephens MP Kate Washington says she is subject to sexist comments "everywhere and all the time" but has "developed techniques" to deflect them.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Washington spoke to the Newcastle Herald about her experiences as a woman in politics after attending the March 4 Justice in Sydney last month, one of a series of rallies around the country in response to recent sexual misconduct allegations engulfing Canberra.
"I just reflect on any day in my job, and there are people frequently commenting and acting in ways that are entirely inappropriate," she said.
"It is constant, and whether it's on the side of a footy field or at an event with the governor, as I was recently, it just happens everywhere and all the time."
Ms Washington added her voice to the chorus of concern about women's treatment inside and outside politics but was aware she would pay for speaking out.
"For women, discussing issues perceived as women's issues can come at a cost politically," she said.
"It's enormously frustrating, but with so many people raising their voices, I'm hopeful that more people are starting to realise that equality is in everyone's interests."
In the news
- Lawrie McKinna loaned the club $365,000 to keep it afloat
- Ryan Callinan follows Julian Wilson and Morgan Cibilic to round of 16
- Search for missing man John Barrett continues: Lake Macquarie police appeal for public help
- Coal a hot issue in NSW by-election
- Green hydrogen created at the University of Newcastle used to fuel passenger vehicle
- Mark Richards shares his skin cancer story, as he advocates for skin checks and melanoma awareness
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palascczuk called this week for a national summit to examine inequalities women face across society.
University of NSW researchers issued a study on Thursday which found places where misogynistic tweeting was more common were likely to have higher rates of domestic violence.
The study team compared US police statistics with Twitter data from 2013-14 and found a geographical correlation between online commentary and violence.
"We found that misogynistic social media may not be harmless," Professor Tom Denson, from UNSW's School of Psychology, said.
"It contributes to norms of violence toward women and a hostile world view that may slip into real-world violence."
Ms Washington, who supports moves for more women in parliaments, said she was targeted regularly online and in the "real world".
"I've just got techniques that I've developed over the years to manage it, how to laugh it off, how to walk away," she said.
But she was hopeful the current conversation about inequality was "absolutely" a chance for lasting change.
"I think this is the beginning ... the anger is inspiring and palpable and completely understandable. I'd like to think we're raising a lot of strong young women who will have the support they need to be heard.
"The first thing for everyone is that you must start listening, and genuinely.
"Women should feel safe at work, at home and in public. The reality is, right now, there are many women who don't. And that must change."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News