WELLINGTON — On October 10, New Zealand's Defence Minister publicly condemned the online harassment directed at the female captain of a naval vessel that sank over the weekend. She emphasized that, while the cause of the incident remains unknown, it had nothing to do with the captain's gender.

The Manawanui, the navy's specialized dive and hydrographic vessel, sank on October 6 while surveying a reef off the coast of Samoa. All 75 crew members and passengers were ordered to abandon the ship and were subsequently rescued.

"A court of inquiry has been established to determine what led to this tragic incident. One thing we already know is that the captain's gender did not contribute to it," stated Ms. Judith Collins, New Zealand's first female defence minister.

She expressed her dismay at the online remarks from "armchair admirals," individuals who have never faced life-and-death decisions for their subordinates. Collins noted that women in uniform have faced harassment on the streets following this incident.

"In 2024, I seriously wonder what is happening with people sitting at home behind their keyboards, making comments about others they do not know in an area they are unfamiliar with. It’s disgraceful. Where is the decency?" she questioned. "This behavior is unacceptable, and New Zealand is better than this."

New Zealand has a history of championing gender equality, being the first country to grant women the right to vote. However, women in leadership roles, including former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, have frequently faced harsher treatment than their male counterparts, a subject that has sparked significant discussion in Parliament and local media.

Currently, women make up about 20 percent of New Zealand's uniformed defence force personnel. Following the sinking of the Manawanui, the Navy operates just five vessels. The Defence Force announced that an interim report will be available by mid-November, with a final report to be released to the public thereafter.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters