EMILY's List Australia condemns attack on Helen Haines: Women must be safe to participate in democracy
EMILY's List Australia
Key Facts:- EMILY's List Australia has condemned an attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, expressing shock and concern for her wellbeing.
- CEO Pamela Anderson warned the attack undermines women's participation in democracy, sending a chilling message to women considering public office.
- The organisation stressed that women must not be forced to weigh up their personal safety before choosing to lead, speak out, or stand for election.
- The attack follows broader concerns about hostility towards women in public life, explored in a recently published EMILY's List Australia report examining media scrutiny and online misogyny as barriers to women's political participation.
- EMILY's List Australia, which has supported women entering politics for nearly 30 years, called for stronger protections against gender-based hatred and measures to ensure elected women can serve their communities safely.
EMILY’s List Australia is shocked and outraged by the attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her electorate office in Wangaratta. Our thoughts are with Helen, her family, staff and community as she recovers.
EMILY’s List Australia CEO Pamela Anderson said the attack raised serious concerns about women’s safety and participation in public life.
“I am angry, deeply distressed and frankly sickened by what has happened to Helen Haines. No woman should fear for her safety because she has chosen to serve her community.
“This is an attack on more than one woman. It strikes at the heart of women’s participation in democracy. When women face violence and intimidation, it sends a chilling message to every woman considering public office that the cost of leadership may be too high.
“We cannot accept a democracy where women have to weigh up their safety before deciding whether to lead, speak out or stand for election. Women fought too hard for the right to participate in our democracy for that right to be undermined by fear.
“Women belong in our parliaments and wherever decisions are made. We must not allow violence or intimidation to push women out of public life.”
While the motive for the attack remains under investigation, it comes amid broader concerns about the hostility and abuse women experience in public life.
The issue is explored in PRESS, POSTS, AND POLKA-DOTS: Evaluating the Impact of Media on Women’s Political Pursuits in Australia, recently published by EMILY’s List Australia and researched and authored by Julia Gillard Next Generation Intern Alex Cowen.
Alex’s report is timely, highlighting how media scrutiny and online misogyny can create barriers to women’s political participation. Its recommendations include examining whether online misogyny should be recognised as hate speech and strengthening protections against gender-based hatred.
EMILY’s List Australia has spent almost 30 years supporting women to enter politics. That work must extend beyond getting women elected to ensuring they can serve their communities safely and without intimidation.
Women’s representation matters. So does their safety.
ENDS
About us:
EMILY's List Australia is dedicated to getting progressive women elected. Over their 30 year history they have supported over 800 women candidates and helped get 380 elected into State and Federal Parliaments
Contact details:
Pamela Anderson
CEO EMILY's List Australia
0420 981 508