WDI and our supporters all over the world stand in solidarity with Australian Liberal Party candidate for Warringah and co-founder of Save Women’s Sport Australasia, Katherine Deves, against the appalling harassment and threats she is receiving for standing for women’s sex-based rights. We condemn the vile abuse Ms Deves has received for defending women’s rights to single-sex sports, speaking out against the appalling exploitation of surrogacy and arguing that women have equal rights to freedom of opinion and expression, among other things.
Freedom of expression is essential for democratic societies to function. It is the cornerstone on which many of our rights are based. Women cannot participate in politics and public life if they are unable express themselves freely and without fear.
WDI supports the right of politicians, whatever their political affiliation, to express their concerns about the harmful effect of gender ideology and sex-based discrimination. Without freedom of expression politicians are unable to ensure that the rights of women and girls can be fully implemented and protected.
We call on the Australian media and political establishment to condemn wholeheartedly the unwarranted, distressing and dangerous abuse to which Ms Deves is subject.
Source: Statement of support for Katherine Deves – Women’s Declaration International
Guess that counts me out – because I am not ‘standing in solidarity’ in support of Katherine Deves. She withdrew her tweets and apologised – for what? For telling the truth! She accepted an ego stroke and tap on the shoulder from one of the most sexist pigs on the planet! She met none of the qualifications for running as a candidate for the Liberal Party in a supposedly democratic society! She epitomises the usurpation of democracy by capitalists – trample over the local branch and parachute in a (corrupt) Captain’s pick. The Liberal Party members of Warringah are denied the right to get to decide who represents them – let alone the voters of Warringah. No, standing up for what is wrong is never right (and being unable – or unwilling – to tell the difference is what got us into this mess).
The principle of freedom of speech must also apply to those with whom you don’t agree. I support Kath’s right to express her opinion and I agree with her on this issue, although I don’t share her politics generally.