Jacinda Ardern’s resignation sparks inherently sexist and archaic headlines.
Picture by Getty images.
When Jacinda Ardern resigned from her post as Prime Minister of New Zealand, just days ago, she said:
“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple.”
While many media outlets cited “burnout”, a few others went a step too far with headlines that read: “Jacinda Ardern resigns. Can women really have it all?”
What’s truly shocking is that amidst the social media outrage over the inherent sexism within narratives surrounding Ardern’s resignation, the truth of her real struggles as a woman in power and a woman in politics is coming back to the limelight. At what point do we say: Enough is enough?
New Zealand’s incoming prime minister, Chris Hipkins, didn’t mince words when he pointed out the “abhorrent abuse” and “misogyny” that Jacinda Ardern faced even while in office. In fact, data released back in June 2022 showed clearly how threats against Ms Ardern had almost tripled over three years.
While I don’t have an opinion on her political stances on social media, I must say that having the courage to step down from a powerful role at the right time and knowing when to pass on the mantle sounds a lot like responsible leadership.
Those of us women who run businesses recognize and relate to a lot of what we see during Jacinda’s resignation speech.
We’ve all been confronted with irrelevant comments on our “beauty” or “attractiveness” even in a professional setting.
We’ve all been asked about our family planning goals.
We’ve all been belittled due to our gender at some point or had to endure small talk that dumbs us down when we really want to discuss the job at hand.
That said, while we wait for the world to change and for the media to catch up, let’s keep on keeping on.
Lead your board meeting in stilettos or sports shoes.
Run your empire with your hair greying or freshly dyed. Who cares.
And know without a doubt that you can and already do have it all.
