Australia's Hijab-Wearing MP Accuses Colleague of Drunken Misconduct: 'You Drink and Dance on Tables

Canberra (The Uttam Hindu): A case of alleged indecent behavior with a Muslim female MP has come to light in Australia, which has sparked a new debate about the safety of Muslim women and especially female MPs in the country. Peyman, born in Afghanistan and the first Australian senator to wear a hijab, said on Wednesday that a male colleague of hers asked her to drink alcohol and dance on the table.

Senator Peyman, 30, said a colleague told her, "Let's get you some drinks and watch you dance on the table." She has filed a formal complaint with the parliamentary watchdog over the incident. However, it has not yet been revealed who the colleague was and when the incident took place.

According to Payman, she clearly told the colleague that she does not drink alcohol, despite this he tried to pressure her. This case not only re-emphasizes the concerns of Islamophobia, but also raises questions about the behavior towards women in the Australian Parliament.

This is not the first case

This is not the first time that news of inappropriate behavior with female members has surfaced in the Australian Parliament. In 2021, former political staffer Brittany Higgins alleged that a colleague raped her inside a parliamentary office. The case led to protests across the country and sharp criticism of the work culture within the parliament. An independent review revealed that incidents of drinking, misbehavior and sexual harassment are common in the Australian Parliament.

Peman's complaint has once again brought the question of protecting the dignity and rights of women, especially Muslim women, to the forefront in Parliament. Social organizations and women's rights activists have demanded a fair investigation into the incident and strict action against the culprits.