The Citizen (KZN)

Sexism row rocks Kiwi politics

- Wellington

– New Zealand’s freshly installed opposition leader Jacinda Ardern was drawn into a sexism row yesterday after being asked if having a baby would affect her chances of becoming prime minister.

Just one day into her new job with the centre-left Labour Party, the 37-year-old had already been asked twice in separate interviews about whether she intended to become a parent.

Ardern responded graciously to the initial line of questionin­g with a noncommitt­al answer, saying it was a dilemma lots of career women faced.

“I’m not pre-determinin­g any of that, just like most of the women out here who just make their lives work,” she told TV3.

But she took exception when told on the same network that New Zealanders had a right to know her plans for parenthood before they decided whether or not to vote for her as prime minister.

Ardern said women should be employed on their qualificat­ions, regardless of their baby-making plans.

“It is totally unacceptab­le in 2017 to say that women should have to answer that question in the workplace,” she said.

“It is the woman’s decision about when they choose to have children. It should not pre-determine whether or not they get the job.”

The grilling by cricketer-turned-TV host Mark Richardson lit up social media. – AFP

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