OPINION: Ardern’s decision to stand down also shows that women continue to be torn between their political ambitions and private lives.
In 2018, she became the first female prime minister to give birth in office since Pakistan’s late Benazir Bhutto. Tanya Plibersek, then deputy leader of the Australian Labor Party, ruled out in 2019 running for the top job because she could not “reconcile” responsibilities to her family with being leader of her party. Another Australian federal member of parliament, Kate Ellis, quit politics at the 2019 election to spend more time with her children.
More recently, sentiment against Ardern turned and she suffered in opinion polls. She faced a surge in personal threats that became more explicit and vicious as conspiracy and anti-vaccination groups, angered over her handling of the pandemic, went on the attack. Ardern achieved rock-star status after she became the world’s youngest female leader at 37. She could feature on the cover of Vogue and spin tunes, manage crises, while also making other global leaders listen and take notice. Ardern faced her share of insulting questions from the media – just last month she and Finland’s Marin were forced to rebuke a journalist who suggested the two world leaders were only meeting because they were young women – but has handled situations with aplomb.
When it comes to the country’s Indigenous population, Ardern’s brand of governing was again on display. She appointed Nanaia Mahuta, a Maori woman, in the high-profile portfolio of foreign minister, while her party vowed that schools would have the Maori language integrated into their curriculum by 2025.Ardern was not above becoming irritated. But it’s a testament to her character that she could rise above the rough and tumble of politics and be a good sport.
Like former world number one tennis star Ashleigh Barty’s decision to quit tennis, I suspect our discomfort with Ardern’s announcement has more to do with us craving role models that do everyone proud globally. They are strong, accomplished, assertive, but also display grace under pressure. Now more than ever, the world needs them.
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