Greens: New Zealand’s paid domestic violence leave will “liberate women out of cycle of abuse”

Greens: New Zealand’s paid domestic violence leave will “liberate women out of cycle of abuse”

Green Party of England and Wales deputy leader Amelia Womack today expressed her delight at the news that New Zealand has passed legislation granting victims of domestic violence 10 days paid leave to allow them to leave their partners, find new homes and protect themselves and their children. [1]

Newport native Womack, a domestic abuse survivor herself, said that the Green Party of Aotearoa/New Zealand legislation would “liberate women from the complexities of an abusive relationship.”

“It’s truly exciting to see a piece of legislation go through a parliament which will genuinely make the lives of women better. As a domestic abuse survivor myself I know first-hand the terrible struggle that sits alongside the complexity of removing yourself from a situation of domestic violence, while also trying to maintain the expectations of the workplace. This law won’t just draw attention to an issue so frequently brushed under the carpet, but will also liberate women from the complexities of an abusive relationship.

“I applaud the amazing work by the New Zealand Greens to make this a reality. Now it’s time for the UK to take measures here at home, starting with making misogyny a hate crime, a critical step towards changing attitudes towards women.”