Sexism dogged Jacinda Ardern’s tenure. Battling it is part of her legacy.
Updated January 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. EST|Published January 19, 2023 at 9:33 a.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-aO8ZnlD5w
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joins other world leaders at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam, in 2017. (Jorge Silva/AP)
As one of just a handful of female world leaders, Jacinda Ardern was dogged by sexist and ageist remarks from reporters, online commentators and fellow politicians during her time as New Zealand’s prime minister.
She announced Thursday that she would step down as the country’s leader after more than five years in office, stunning supporters and political insiders in the nation of 5 million.
“I am human. Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time,” she said, explaining her decision during an emotional news conference. “I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice — it’s that simple.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgO0HD_XrzU
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigned on Jan. 19 after a two-term tenure and ahead of national elections later this year. (Video: Reuters)
At 37, Ardern became New Zealand’s youngest leader in more than 150 years when she was elected prime minister in 2017.
During her time in office, she was dubbed “Aunty Cindy” and referred to as a “babe” and a “pretty communist” by the media and commentators online. One television reporter asked about her child’s conception, and last year police investigated a strip club for using a doctored almost nude image of her to promote its services.
This week, Fox News host Tucker Carlson referred to her as the “lady with the big teeth” while discussing her resignation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YntI84ghLq4
During a joint news conference in Auckland held by Ardern and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, a male reporter suggested the two leaders were meeting because they were of a similar age and gender, prompting Ardern to hit back.
“A lot of people will be wondering: Are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and have got a lot of common stuff there — when you got into politics and stuff — or can Kiwis actually expect to see more deals between our two countries down the line?” the reporter from New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB asked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L07uHwpCRSo
Ardern, looking slightly incredulous, replied: “I wonder whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age,” referring to New Zealand’s former prime minister, who was born five days after the former U.S. president.
“Because two women meet, it’s not simply because of their gender,” she added.
When Ardern became prime minister in 2017, reporters focused their questioning on whether she felt she had to choose between having children or a career, which she called out as discriminatory at the time.
In 2018, she became the second world leader in modern times to have a baby while in office — following Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto — stating at the time that she was “not the first woman to multitask.” Ardern took maternity leave for six weeks and later traveled with her 3-month-old daughter, Neve, to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
Announcing her resignation in the coastal city of Napier, Ardern told reporters Thursday that she was looking forward to spending more time with her family. She and her partner, Clarke Gayford, had to cancel their wedding last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Arguably, they’re the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us,” Ardern said, before addressing her daughter and partner. “So to Neve, Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke, let’s finally get married.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxUkjKobkF0
Women remain extremely underrepresented in global politics, with just 28 countries represented by elected female leaders as of 2022, according to U.N. figures. “At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years,” U.N. Women said.
In office, Ardern formed the most diverse government in New Zealand’s history after a landslide election victory in 2020, with more women, people of color, LGBTQ and Indigenous members of Parliament than ever before.
Last year, New Zealand became the first advanced industrialized democracy to have a majority-female legislature.
Ardern has also championed the #MeToo movement for gender equality. Her empathetic brand of governing during several crises, including the coronavirus pandemic and the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack on two mosques, elevated her on the global stage — even as her popularity recently began to slip behind the main conservative opposition at home.
A self-described feminist, she once said she hoped to be remembered as “a good leader, not a good lady leader.” She added: “I don’t want to be known simply as the woman who gave birth.”
Ardern said she would step down by Feb. 7.
Rachel Pannett, Michael E. Miller and Helier Cheung contributed to this report.
Davis says misogynistic, sexist attacks on Ardern before resignation ‘unacceptable’ | nzherald.co.nz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owcARURBIQs
Labour Party Deputy Leader Kelvin Davis says
men need to stand up to the sexist and misogynistic comments made against outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Defining a Leader - Jacinda Ardern's most memorable moments | nzherald.co.nz
A look back at Jacinda Ardern's journey as Aotearoa's Prime Minister.
Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand prime minister - BBC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4FoJelTvHY
Jacinda Ardern has announced she will quit as New Zealand prime minister ahead of this year's election, saying she no longer has "enough in the tank" to lead.
In an emotional speech, Ardern detailed how six "challenging" years in the job had taken a toll.
New Zealand Labour Party MPs will vote to find her replacement on Sunday.
The shock announcement comes as polling indicates the party faces a difficult path to re-election on 14 October.
Ardern, 42, said she had taken time to consider her future over the summer break, hoping to find the heart and energy to go on in the role.
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