The Māori women and girls of New Zealand who have survived sexual violence face a double trauma when accessing care, according to Māori activists.

Worldwide, nearly one in three women will experience gender-based violence, a statistic that is even higher amongst Indigenous women and girls, especially in the Māori community.

Due to the stigma surrounding sexual violence, and the lack of cultural awareness in the healthcare system, Māori women and girls rarely report instances of sexual violence.

During the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, currently being held at the UN Headquarters in New York, UN News’s Emma Trager-Lewis sat down with Kerri Nuku, Director of the New Zealand Nurses’s Organisation; and Tracey Morgan, Chair of the College of Primary HealthCare Nurses in New Zealand.

Both women are Māori activists participating in the forum and began by introducing themselves in both Māori and English.