Twitter is rejoicing over the New Zealand Prime Minister’s pregnancy announcement
On Friday, January 18th, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that she is pregnant with her first child. Her announcement makes her the first world leader since 1990 to be expecting a baby while in office – and people are thrilled. Following the news of her pregnancy, Twitter was ablaze with messages of support and excitement for the PM.
“Clarke and I are really excited that in June our team will expand from two to three, and that we’ll be joining the many parents out there who wear two hats,” Ardern announced in a Facebook post. “I’ll be Prime Minister AND a mum, and Clarke will be ‘first man of fishing’ and stay-at-home dad.”
Ardern also preemptively shut down sexist naysayers, stating, “I am not the first woman to multitask.” Many on Twitter celebrated the major announcement, as well as what Ardern’s pregnancy means for working women everywhere.
The @jacindaardern pregnancy announcement just fills me with such joy and hope for the little girls watching in NZ, Australia and across the world who can see that there is no “choice” between becoming a parent and high office of any kind. #Jacinda #auspol
— Patricia Karvelas (@PatsKarvelas) January 19, 2018
Congratulations to @jacindaardern and Clarke on your exciting news! You are absolutely able to be both a great mum and PM.
— Kelly O'Dwyer (@KellyODwyer) January 19, 2018
Proud to live in a country where the Prime Minister can reconcile starting a family with being in charge. Congrats on the impending arrival @jacindaardern – proud of what you stand for
— Ben Kepes (@benkepes) January 18, 2018
Congratulations Jacinda this is great news, sets an excellent example from #NZ to the world. Wishing you the best for your family's forthcoming arrival! #Whakamihi
— James Nikitine (@jamesnikitine) January 19, 2018
Congratulations PM @jacindaardern! A role model making it clear that women can be pregnant, have kids and lead. #righton https://t.co/EJnEX8P1wx
— Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) January 19, 2018
Amazing news for women everywhere. I am really, really looking forward to seeing @jacindaardern pull this off. Courageous and awesome
— Jenna Raeburn (@JennaRaeburn) January 18, 2018
New Zealand has a female PM in her 30s who's pregnant. What a bloomin' fantastic role model for women worldwide. Made my day. #JacindaArdern
— Heather Longbottom (@HebLongbottom) January 19, 2018
Former Prime Minister Hellen Clark also sent her best wishes.
Wishing @jacindaardern & @NZClarke all the best as they expect their 1st child in June: a super busy year coming up & much to look forward to. Every #woman should have the choice of combining family & career. https://t.co/Ma6B6OGXJe
— Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) January 18, 2018
Other Twitter users clapped back at critics who believe Ardern can’t be both a mother and a PM (um, it’s 2018 people!).
And if anyone has anything nasty to say about the blessing that is an impending child, just remember @jacindaardern campaigned on a call for more kindness to be shown to each other. So it’s about time we put that in to action #BeKind
— Greer Berry (@GreerBerry) January 18, 2018
Today I've seen way too many people hate on Jacinda Ardern, saying she's an embarrassment to the country.
You know what's really embarrassing? New Zealander's getting butt hurt over the prime minister getting pregnant. It's 2018, women can do stuff. CATCH. UP.— The Love We Deserve (@tlwd_band) January 19, 2018
Jacinda Ardern is having a baby and is also NZ Prime Minister. Anyone who has a problem with this needs to change.
— Dave Donovan (@davrosz) January 19, 2018
Ardern has also shut down sexist questions and remarks in the past. When asked about her “family plans” by a journalist when she first took office, she quickly shut the question down as both sexist and “unacceptable,” noting a male politician would never be asked such a question.
Congratulations to Jacinda and Clarke! We can’t wait to watch this family remind the world that women are strong as hell, and should not be underestimated.
