New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins says sinking of HMNZS Manawanui has nothing to do with captain’s gender.
New Zealand’s defence chief has hit out at “misogynistic” criticism directed on the feminine captain of a navy ship that ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa.
New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins mentioned on Thursday that “armchair admirals” had been selling the false narrative that the sinking of the vessel was because of the captain’s gender.
“I believed, significantly, in 2024 – what the hell is occurring right here with people who find themselves sitting there of their armchair working a keyboard making feedback about people who they have no idea, about an space they have no idea, and they’re simply vile,” Collins informed reporters.
“The place’s a little bit of decency?”
Collins mentioned girls in uniform had been abused on the street following the lack of the vessel on Sunday.
“That is outrageous behaviour, and New Zealand is just not identified for this, and we’re higher than it,” she mentioned.
The HMNZS Manawanui ran aground close to the Samoan island of Upolu on Saturday evening earlier than catching fireplace and capsizing. All 75 folks on board had been evacuated to security with solely minor accidents.
The sinking was the primary lack of a New Zealand navy vessel since World Struggle II.
The New Zealand Defence Pressure has opened an investigation into the reason for the incident.
Collins turned New Zealand’s first feminine defence minister after the centre-right Nationwide Social gathering was victorious in final yr’s basic elections.
In June, Main Common Rose King was appointed chief of the nation’s military, turning into the primary lady to steer a department of the navy.
About 20 % of New Zealand’s uniformed navy personnel are girls.
New Zealand is understood for its historical past of selling gender equality.
The nation turned the primary self-governing jurisdiction to grant girls the vote in 1893 and has had three feminine prime ministers, together with Jacinda Ardern, who stepped down in January 2023 after 5 years in workplace.
