New Zealand PM resigns with tears in his eyes
2023.01.19 06:58
New Zealand PM resigns with tears in his eyes
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – The shocking resignation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday highlights the punishing demands that women in power face. Ardern changed the face of global politics when she was elected the youngest female head of state in history.
The 42-year-old politician said she had “nearly nothing left in the tank” and that it was time to step down after a challenging five and a half years in office while holding back tears.
She stated, “Politicians are human.” For as long as we can, we give everything we have, and then it’s time. And it’s time for me.”
Anne-Marie Brady, a political science professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, said, “But the remarks that followed were more revealing.”
Ardern said in her speech that she was looking forward to being around her young daughter Neve when she started school soon and finally marrying her partner Clarke. She addressed her family directly.
Brady added, “She was just very forthright and relatable.” I believe that any young woman who grew up in a time when we can have it all, yes, still has heartfelt connections to our loved ones.”
She stated that although “patriarchal institutions” have evolved sufficiently to support family life, women’s liberation has not.
Politicians like Jacinda Ardern are needed. Therefore, we should consider how we can better support women in politics and men in their family lives,” Brady continued.
“I have all the respect for Jacinda and I admire her,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in an interview with Reuters in Davos. I’m sorry she made that choice, but it might only be for a short time. It’s not simple.”
Ardern has not been afraid to break the mold during her time in office, becoming the first prime minister since Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan to have a child while in office and then take a maternity leave.
Ardern, a politician who campaigned for making some tertiary education free, reducing child poverty, and making abortions illegal, has also criticized open sexism in politics.
When she met Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, in November, she denied that their similar age and gender were the reason for the meeting.
Marian Baird, a professor of gender and employment relations at the University of Sydney, stated, “She shifted the face of politics globally just by being her.”
She stated, “I think she has been a little bit of a model for younger female politicians and maybe even younger male politicians who want to present in a different way.” She unquestionably challenges the male ideal of a prime minister.”
Despite her global prominence, Ardern’s domestic popularity was declining due to rising living costs, rising crime, and social issues concerns.
She has been praised as a leader who brought grace and generosity to the job after she resigned, especially in difficult political times.
Helen Clark, a former prime minister, said that Ardern had led New Zealand through major crises in an “extraordinary way.”
She accomplished a significant economic and social agenda and established the nation as one that “stood for cooperation and decent values.”
“The pressures on prime ministers are always great,” Clark said in a statement. “However, in this era of social media, clickbait, and 24/7 media cycles, Jacinda has faced a level of hatred and vitriol that in my experience is unprecedented in our country.”
“Now is a good time for our society to consider whether it wants to tolerate the excessive polarization that is making politics an increasingly unattractive profession,”
Mu Sochua, a prominent opposition figure in Cambodia, stated that the world had lost a leader who “always led with her heart” and commanded trust and respect.
According to Yenny Wahid, director of the Wahid Institute and a prominent Indonesian activist for women’s rights, Ardern’s decision conveyed a significant message to the following generation of leaders.
“She has different priorities at this point in her life, and she chose the timing of her own exit.” It demonstrates to the younger generation that it is okay.”
