“Backsliding opinions on gender and equality have no place in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025”
-
Societal attitudes to gender and equality are both caught and taught, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa chief executive Jackie Edmond says.
“In an environment where some people are feeling emboldened to make deeply offensive comments and where parts of our sexuality education curriculum are under threat, it should come as no surprise that we’re going backwards,” Ms Edmond says.
-
-
She was commenting on the Gender Attitudes Survey released yesterday by the National Council of Women New Zealand (NCWNZ) which showed us backsliding on opinions related to gender, equality, sexual violence, and sexual and reproductive health.
“Just this week, we’ve had a former politician make some startling comments about women – reducing them simply to body parts. Comments of this kind embolden others. Our leaders – in politics, in culture, in all aspects of society – need to step up, condemn this kind of rhetoric, take the lead and say these attitudes have no place in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025.”
NCWNZ president Suzanne Manning noted that while the survey shows New Zealanders value gender equality, small parts of the population are reversing progress that has been achieved.
“We agree with the National Council of Women that we need to re-engage young people in these conversations. To do that, we need to ensure that what young people are hearing and being taught is positive, respectful and inclusive. We all have a responsibility to do something about it and not buy into the rhetoric.”