Jacinda Ardern shares an experience from her 2017 election campaign that reflects the gender biases women face in politics. As the new Labour Party leader, she was shocked when a male sports anchor suggested women should disclose their reproductive plans during interviews. Ardern strongly opposed this notion, demonstrating her discontent by pointing at him and calling out the inappropriateness. Later, she reveals the anxiety of waiting for election results while also discovering whether she was pregnant, adding a personal dimension to her political journey. Her memoir captures these pivotal moments of her candidacy.
That was the bit that got me, and I think that was because I talked openly about wanting a family. But to assert that any woman should be asked that, I really rebelled against that. That upset me.
Well, I pulled out my index finger and I pointed at him quite a lot (laughter), whilst really clearly asserting, you can ask me that question, but it is totally inappropriate and - you know, it was 2017 - to imply that any woman should have to answer that question with an employer.
It's very glamorous. ... I was waiting to find out whether or not I was going to become the prime minister of New Zealand. And in that moment, I was also waiting to find out if I was pregnant - quite a time (laughter).
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