A mass protest by female opposition MPs at Parliament after Prime Minister John Key's claim that Labour was "backing rapists" has made headlines around the world.

A wide range of media outlets have reported on Key's remarks in relation to Kiwi detainees being held in Australia, and the uproar they have provoked.

On Wednesday, at least 12 female MPs either walked out or were asked to leave the debating chamber after standing one by one in defiance of Speaker David Carter to stand and demand an apology from the prime minister.

HENRY COOKE/FAIRFAX NZ A walkout by female MPs has made international headlines after Prime Minister John Key accused Labour of "backing rapists".

READ MORE:

* Parliament in fresh uproar over Prime Minister's 'rapist' remark

* John Key: 'Absolutely correct' to say Labour backs rapists

* Christmas Island protesters storm Australian consulate

* Key ramps up the politics on Kiwi detainees

* Kiwis at Christmas Island detention able to return home 'in days or weeks'



Some said they took offence as victims of sexual abuse, while others cited the strong stand they had taken against sexual violence.

The Independent, The Guardian and The Telegraph are among UK newspapers to have covered the uproar, focusing on the ejection and walkout of female MPs after speaking of their sexual assault experiences.

The Daily Mail said female MPs had been "silenced and EJECTED from New Zealand's parliament as they stand up - many for the first time - to reveal they have been victims of sexual violence".

In the US, media organisations including Time, NBC News, The Atlantic and NPR have reported on Key's comments and the MPs' protests.

NPR said: "Within the formal, wood-paneled walls of the New Zealand Parliament chamber, woman after woman stepped in front of microphones Wednesday to take umbrage at a comment Prime Minister John Key made the day before.

"The women stood up one by one and — with some variation — began her remarks like this: 'As a victim of sexual assault…'

"Most of them didn't get much further."

BuzzFeed, Vice News and ThinkProgress have also written stories about the outcry.

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