Judith Collins criticized the misogynistic backlash against the female captain of the navy ship, urging for decency in addressing the situation. "Seriously, it's 2024. What the hell's going on here?" Adding, she highlighted the captain's 30 years of naval experience and noted that criticism based on gender was unjust and irrelevant to the incident.
Collins expressed her outrage at the online comments about Commander Yvonne Gray, stating, "The one thing that we already know did not cause it is the gender of the ship's captain... she made the call to get her people to safety." This statement emphasizes the importance of merit over gender, underscoring that decisions of life and death are complex and should not be oversimplified.
The minister condemned the rising gender-based criticism spilling onto the streets, where female military members faced verbal abuse, labeling it as "outrageous behavior." Collins remarked, "New Zealand is not known for this and we are better than it," reinforcing the need for respect and dignity toward women in military roles.
Speaking on the representation of women in the military, Collins noted, "We are all appointed on merit, not gender." This remark reflects a commitment to equality and a recognition of women’s contributions to the nation's defense, pointing to the growing presence of women in leadership positions within New Zealand's military.
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