Women’s Groups to Defend Kamala Harris against Sexist Attacks

CHICAGO, KOMPAS.com - With Kamala Harris appointed as Joe Biden’s running mate this week, women’s groups are ready to defend her against any sexist coverage and disinformation.

The groups had prepared itself over the past weeks and are now expecting months of false smears and “brutal” attacks from internet haters as the US presidential election draws nearer.

Women’s groups have put the media on notice in recent days that they will call out bias even calling one of their campaigns “We Have Her Back”.

Read also: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Take on the US Presidential Election as a Team

They have even established a “war room” to refute sexist or false attacks as they happen.

They didn't have to wait long.

Within minutes of the presumptive Democratic nominee’s announcement Tuesday, false information was circulating on social media, claiming that Harris had called Biden a “racist” and that she is not eligible to be president.

The women's groups say their efforts are informed by the sexism Hillary Clinton faced from Donald Trump, some of his supporters and the media during the 2016 campaign.

“This time we understand the patterns, and this time we have the organizational infrastructure to push back,” said Shaunna Thomas, executive director of the women's advocacy group UltraViolet.

UltraViolet released a 32-page guide for media along with a coalition of groups including Color of Change PAC, Planned Parenthood Votes and Women's March.

While the groups have primarily been led by Democrats, their efforts are backed by nonpartisan groups and some Republicans.

The war room will call out bias and disinformation against women in both parties up and down the ballot, said Tina Tchen, CEO of Time's Up Now, which fights sexual harassment in the workplace.

Read also: Cultural Norms Stall Deliberations of Indonesia's Sexual Violence Bill

The groups say intense scrutiny of a vice presidential nominee is to be expected, but women are often unfairly criticized as overly emotional, weak or unqualified, or for their appearance or demeanor in a way that men are not.

The attacks, which include false smears and threats of violence online, not only hurt campaigns but dissuade women from seeking office.