Less than 24 hours into the prime minister’s office, Jacinda Ardern was asked whether a woman could have both a baby and a high-powered career. Now, three years later, this question seems laughable.
Ardern not only gave birth while holding office, but she also returned to work quickly, shortening her maternity leave, proving that a woman can do both, with the help of a supportive partner.
Little was known about her three years ago when she became the deputy leader of the minority Labour Party in New Zealand. Now, she is the two-time Prime Minister of the country, having won the highest number of votes in the second term, claiming 64 percent of total seats. She is also an internationally acclaimed leader, being counted among the likes of Trudeau and Abe. But her journey to success wasn’t plain sailing.
Challenges
Apart from becoming a first-time mom at 37, she also led New Zealand through three rowdy years, in which the country endured its worst-ever terror attack, a deadly volcano eruption, and a global pandemic that has doomed leaders around the globe. However, thanks to her leadership, New Zealand became one of the first countries to have completely eradicated the virus. What made her a globally acclaimed leader was the way she dealt with the Christchurch attack.
Christchurch Shooting
On March 15, 2019, the morning of the deadly shooting that saw 51 Muslims losing their lives, addressed a press conference, and delivered a message that united the country in a time of crisis.
“They are us,” she said of the victims. “New Zealand has been chosen because it was safe because it was no place for hatred or racism. Because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion, home for those who share our values. Refuge for those who need it.”
She then publicly condemned the shooter as a terrorist and said she has no place among them.
You may have chosen us – we utterly reject and condemn you.
She then implemented tighter gun laws across the nation.
Beacon of Hope
When Ardern assumed power in 2017, the world was dominated by right-wingers like Modi, Trump, and Netanyahu. Though from a small country, Ardern quickly shot to fame as the anti-Trump – a liberal beacon against fascism. She won praises for wearing a Maori cloak for her meeting with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth. The news of her pregnancy came the same year, and the fact her partner, television host Clarke Gayford, chose to become a stay-at-home dad – was also welcomed as a positive.
Not a Superwoman
But, she did not let the thoughts prosper that she was doing anything out of the ordinary.
“The only reason I can do what I’m doing is because my partner has the ability to be a pretty much full-time carer,” she told the Financial Times in 2018.
So I don’t want to appear to be superwoman because we should not expect women to be superwomen.
Early Life
She was born on July 26, 1980, to a police officer father and a school cafeteria mother in Hamilton. Having spent her childhood in small, rural towns, Jacinda experienced the hardships of life in these towns, which eventually shaped her political career. At the age of 17, she was a Labour Party supporter.
Jacinda went to the University of Waikato, where she earned a degree in communication studies in politics and public relations.
Professional & Political Career
Soon after her degree, Ms. Ardern started working for Helen Clark, the then New Zealand prime minister.
In 2006, she made a massive professional move and joined the UK Cabinet Office, where Tony Blair was preparing to hand over power to Gordon Brown.
Having worked closely with three prime ministers in two different countries, Jacinda decided to enter politics, though she initially said she had no interest in the premiership.
In 2008, she returned to New Zealand and was elected MP on Labour Party’s ticket. During her first term in the parliament, Jacinda championed bills to eradicate child poverty and supported gay rights. The latter gave her recognition on the national and global horizon.
In March 2017, she was elected deputy leader of the Labour Party. Six months later, she became the youngest prime minister of the country in 150 years after Winston Peters announced a coalition with Labour. She was also the first-ever youngest female premier.
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