Jacinda Ardern was appointed leader of the Labour Party in New Zealand less than 48 hours ago, and already the 37-year-old has been asked, twice, about whether she plans to have children.
Anyone else’s eyes rolling out of their heads right about now?
Thankfully, Ardern wasn’t about to let the comments slide, promptly telling a reporter this morning that he was out of line and that his questions were “totally unacceptable in 2017.”
“I think this is a legitimate question for New Zealand, because she could be the prime minister running this country,” AM Show host Mark Richardson continued.
Ardern hit back, saying: “For other women, it is totally unacceptable in 2017 to say that women should have to answer that question in the workplace. That is unacceptable in 2017. It is the woman’s decision about when they choose to have children.”
“It should not predetermine whether or not they get the job,” she continued.
“For other women, it is totally unacceptable in 2017 to say that women should have to answer that question in the workplace. That is unacceptable in 2017. It is the woman’s decision about when they choose to have children.”
On Tuesday evening, the same night as her appointment, Ardern appeared on The Project, with host Jesse Mulligan promptly asking whether she felt as though she now had to choose between her career and having children.
Popular ex-news presenter Hillary Barry quickly tweeted, “Please can every nob who asks that ask the same of Bill English?”
But Ardern took the question in her stride. “I’ve been really open about that dilemma because I think probably lots of women face it,” she said.
“For me, my position is no different to the woman who works three jobs, or who might be in a position where they are juggling lots of responsibilities.
“You’ve just got to take every day as it comes and try and see if you can make the best of the lot you’re given.
“So I’m not pre-determining any of that, just like most of the women out here who just make their lives work.”
Who run the world? Girls.
