Tag: Jacinda Ardern

  • Five times when female politicians told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up

    Five times when female politicians told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up

    The time when patriarchal societies used to dictate to women is long gone. In the past, we witnessed how difficult it was for women to rule in a man’s world because of casual sexism. However, now things have changed. Women know how to stand up for themselves.

    In honour of International Women’s Day, let’s rewind to the times when women leaders told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up.

    1- First Muslim World Female Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto

    At the top of the list, we have former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who became the very first woman to hold the position in the Muslim world. At 35, she was also one of the youngest chief executives in the world. As prime minister, she was often referred to as the “Iron Lady of Pakistan” for her uncompromising approach to negotiating with unions. During her first tenure, she was removed by then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan but was elected again by her people. She won the hearts of many with her courageous and empowering speeches at a time when politics were male-dominated and no one would have thought that Pakistan would elect a woman to lead the country.

    2- Sherry Rehman at her wittiest best

    If you want a guide or need tips on how to deal with the misogyny that exists even in Pakistan’s Senate, you need to watch Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman.

    Last year, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani called Rehman the “Senate’s dadi (grandmother)”. To this, casual sexism, she responded by saying: “I would advise you to only ask specific questions so that Sherry Rehman, who is the dadi of this House, can give you the right answers.”

    3- Take notes from Jacinda Ardern

    In December, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern shut down a male journalist for asking a misogynist question when she was hosting Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

    The journalist asked, “A lot of people will be wondering: ‘Are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and have got a lot of common stuff there — when you got into politics and stuff — or can Kiwis actually expect to see more deals between our two countries down the line?”

    Ardern interrupted the question to say that she wondered “Whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age.”

    Well, this is how you deal with misogyny!

    4- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fires back

    Now, we bring you US Congress Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez excoriating her Republican colleague, Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida, after he verbally attacked her on the steps of the Capitol and used a sexist slur overheard by a reporter, calling her a “fucking bitch,” then issued a non-apology from the House floor. Later, on the floor, Alexandria said: “My mother got to see Mr. Yoho’s disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.”

      5- Hina Rabbani’s bold move

      Last year in November, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar went to meet the Taliban government in Afghanistan which is famously notorious for its mistreatment of women and its denial of women’s rights. The arrival of a woman to hold talks with the government proved to be such a powerful move. Netizens couldn’t help but root for Khar, deeming it a boss move to have a woman represent Pakistan, especially before a government as stuck in the stone age as the Taliban.

    • ‘It’s time’: Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly resigns

      Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly resigned as the Prime Minister of New Zealand on Thursday after being in office for almost five years.

      Leaving her country and the world stunned, the popular 42-year-old leader announced that she will not contest in the upcoming elections, scheduled to be held in October.

      “I am 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,” she said, adding that she, “no longer has enough in the tank to do it justice”.

      She said, “I am human. We give as much as we can for as long as we can and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.”

      Arden said told reporters that she would be doing a disservice to her country by continuing.

      The Labour Party will now vote to find her replacement on Sunday.

      Arden became the youngest female head of government in the world in 2017, when she was elected prime minister at just 37 years of age.

      She won international acclaim for her handling of a terror attack on two Muslim mosques and the Covid-19 pandemic, and became only the second world leader after former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to give birth while in office.

    • VIDEO: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern calls rival ‘arrogant prick’, apologises later

      VIDEO: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern calls rival ‘arrogant prick’, apologises later

      New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern apologised for calling a political rival an “arrogant prick” in parliament on Tuesday. She made the comment about David Seymour, the leader of the libertarian ACT party, after he asked Ardern if she could “give an example of her making a mistake, apologising for it properly, and fixing it” during question time.

      In response, Jacinda Ardern agreed that the people had a difficult time with managed isolation but said that she supported the job the government had accomplished during the previous term.

      After ending her reply, Ardern sat down next to her deputy, Grant Robertson, and murmured: “Such an arrogant prick”. Her comment was picked up in the background by her desk microphone as House Speaker Adrian Rurawhe was talking and was broadcast on parliament television.

      Speaking to the media after the session had ended, Seymour said that Ardern had texted him to say sorry. “[She] said, ‘I apologise, it’s not something I should have said’ and she said, ‘As my mum would say, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it’,” he added.

      Seymour went on to emphasise that the matter was resolved, closing his statement by saying: “At the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world.”

      Ardern’s office has also confirmed she had apologised to Seymour.

    • PM Jacinda Ardern shows us how to respond to a misogynist question

      PM Jacinda Ardern shows us how to respond to a misogynist question

      New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) Jacinda Ardern shuts down a male journalist for asking a misogynist question.

      Arden was hosting Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin at Auckland’s Government House on Wednesday during the first visit by a Premier from the European country to New Zealand.

      However, a male reporter zoomed in on what he seemed to think was the most important thing Ardern, 42, and Marin, 37, have in common.

      He asked, “A lot of people will be wondering: ‘Are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and have got a lot of common stuff there — when you got into politics and stuff — or can Kiwis actually expect to see more deals between our two countries down the line?”

      Ardern interrupted the question to say that she wondered “whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age.”

      With a smile on her face, she added: “We, of course, have a higher proportion of men in politics, it’s a reality. Because two women meet, it is not simply because of their gender.”

      She then schooled the reporter on the important trade relations between the countries. “It’s our job to further it, regardless of our gender,” Arden concluded.

      Meanwhile, Marin said: “We are meeting because we are prime ministers, of course … we have a lot of things in common, but also a lot of things where we can do much more together.”

      The question about age and gender drew criticism in local media outlets, where it was described as “not-so-subtle sexism” and “casual sexism”.

      The viral clip rapidly gained the attention of Twitterati who applauded the female leaders.

    • ‘First female Muslim PM, first to give birth in office’: NZ PM Jacinda Ardern praises Benazir Bhutto in Harvard Speech

      ‘First female Muslim PM, first to give birth in office’: NZ PM Jacinda Ardern praises Benazir Bhutto in Harvard Speech

      New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid homage to former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in an address at Harvard University.

      “In June 1989, the Prime Minister of Pakistan stood on this spot and delivered the commencement address titled ‘Democratic nations must unite‘. She spoke about her journey, the importance of citizenry, representative government, human rights, and democracy,” said Jacinda while talking about Benazir.

      “I met Benazir Bhutto in Geneva in June of 2007. We both attended a conference that drew together progressive parties from around the world. Just seven months, later she was assassinated.”

      “There will be opinions and differing perspectives written about all of us as political leaders. Two things that history will not contest about Benazir Bhutto: she was the first Muslim female Prime Minister elected in an Islamic country, when a woman in power was a rare thing. She was also the first to give birth in office.”

      “The second and only other leader to have given birth in office almost 30 years later was me,” added the New Zealand prime minister.

      During the address she also revealed that her daughter, Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford, was born on Benazir’s birthday, i.e. June 21.

      Ardern borrowed words from Benazir Bhutto’s1989 Harvard Commencement address, “We must realise that democracy… can be fragile.”

      “I read those words as I sat in my office in Wellington, New Zealand. A world away from Pakistan. And while the reasons that gave rise for her words then were vastly different, they still ring true.”

      “Democracy can be fragile,” said Ardern.

      “This imperfect but precious way that we organise ourselves, that has been created to give equal voice to the weak and to the strong, that is designed to help drive consensus — it is fragile.”

      “For years it feels as though we have assumed that the fragility of democracy was determined by duration. That somehow the strength of your democracy was like a marriage – the longer you’d been in it, the more likely it was to stick.”

      Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman shared the video and wrote, “Thank u Prime Minister Ardern.”

    • New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

      New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

      Pakistan-origin doctor, Dr Naeem Rashid has been honoured with the most prestigious bravery award, the New Zealand Cross. Rashid sacrificed his life to save others during the Christchurch mosque massacre in 2019. His award was received by his wife, Ambreen Naeem.

      Ten people, who risked their lives to protect innocents during an attack, are awarded various bravery awards in New Zealand.

      New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said, “The courage demonstrated by these New Zealanders was selfless and extraordinary. They have our deepest respect and gratitude for their actions on that day.” she added, “Each of them put their life on the line to save others. If not for their collective actions, the loss of life could have been even greater.”

      On March 15, 2019, a white supremacist gunman, Brenton Tarrant killed 44 people at Al Noor Mosque during Friday prayers. The attacker went to another mosque, Linwood Mosque, and took seven innocent lives. He broadcasted the whole attack on Facebook.

      Dr Naeem Rashid challenged the attacker in Al Noor Mosque, disregarding his own safety. When the gunman entered and began firing in the main prayer hall, people started to flee but Rashid ran towards him.

      “In so doing, he enabled others to escape and paid the ultimate price with the loss of his own life. I want to acknowledge Dr Rashid’s wife and family particularly, who will know all too well that his acts that day were a reflection of who he was as a person,” Ardern said.

      Rashid’s wife, Ambreen Naeem, expressed gratefulness while receiving an award and said, “Today we can’t see him, but he has spread his message of peace and love, all over the world.”

      Another survivor, Abdul Aziz who is an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

      Abdul Aziz, an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

      He said, “It feels good, like you’ve done something good in your life.”

      New Zealand also has given “New Zealand Bravery Decoration” and “New Zealand Bravery Medal” to eight people who have shown great courage to safeguard innocent lives in the Christchurch attack 2019.

    • New Zealand MP rides a bicycle to hospital to give birth

      New Zealand MP rides a bicycle to hospital to give birth

      A New Zealand lawmaker, MP Julie Anne Genter rode to the hospital while in labour last night to give birth, reports The Guardian.

      She wrote on her Facebook, “Big news! At 3.04 am this morning we welcomed the newest member of our family. I genuinely wasn’t planning to cycle in labour, but it did end up happening. My contractions weren’t that bad when we left at 2 am to go to the hospital – though they were 2-3 min apart and picking up in intensity by the time we arrived 10 minutes later.”

      Ms Genter, an advocate for cycling, was a minister three years ago when she took a similar trip to deliver her first child in 2018.

      Netizens have given mixed reactions on Twitter.

      In 2018, The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern also made history for the first time, bringing her infant to attend the United Nations General Assembly. She received appreciation from the world for setting an example for women’s empowerment.

    • ‘No security problem in Pak’: Daren Sammy reacts to New Zealand’s decision

      ‘No security problem in Pak’: Daren Sammy reacts to New Zealand’s decision

      Former West Indian captain Daren Sammy has said that there is no security problem in Pakistan. He also expressed his disappointment at New Zealand cancelling its Pakistan series due to “security reasons”.

      Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Sammy said that field experts are saying that if Pakistan is safe, then one should trust then. “I have been coming to Pakistan for the last 6 years, it has always been a good experience.”

      While talking about New Zealand cancelling the tour, he said: “I was very disappointed with New Zealand’s decision. There is no security problem in Pakistan. I remember people used to ask me to go to Pakistan or not but now people ask me to go to Pakistan and play golf and eat.”

      He said that attacks have taken place in New Zealand and England, incidents have also been seen in Australia, and incidents are happening everywhere in the world but there is no noise. He also added that the situation in Pakistan has changed. “Earlier, people used to ask, is it safe to go to Pakistan? Now people ask where to go and eat in Pakistan.”

      The New Zealand cricket team cancelled their tour shortly before the first ODI match against Pakistan on the grounds of security reasons, which has drawn frustration from cricket fans all over the world. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take a strong stand against the New Zealand Cricket Board.

    • PCB to take tough stance against New Zealand

      PCB to take tough stance against New Zealand

      The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to take a tough stance against the New Zealand Cricket Team (NZC) at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting, according to Geo News’ sources.

      The board has decided to contact influential players and commentators from around the world and seek their support in this matter.

      The ICC board meeting will be held during the upcoming T20 World Cup. The World Cup is scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

      Prior to this Prime Minister, Imran Khan spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and informed her that Pakistan has one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team, PCB has confirmed.

      Earlier, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja had said that New Zealand will hear Pakistan at the ICC meeting. Terming the abrupt decision as a “crazy day”, the chairman added that he felt sorry for fans and the players.

      Last week, PCB, in its press release, revealed that New Zealand Cricket authorities unilaterally called off the ODI and T20 series without taking them into confidence and had not shared any details about the threats with the board or Pakistan’s security agencies.

    • Conspiracy behind NZ tour cancellation, says Sheikh Rasheed

      Conspiracy behind NZ tour cancellation, says Sheikh Rasheed

      Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed in a press conference said, “The New Zealand (NZ)authorities do not have substantive proof of threat in Pakistan.”

      “New Zealand took a unilateral decision to cancel the Pakistan tour despite the country’s tight security arrangements for the team,” said Rasheed.

      The interior minister said NZ team’s security in-charge spoke to government officials in the morning and informed them of a threat. When the officials asked for further details, the NZ security in-charge “did not have any”, he added.

      Pakistan had deployed commandos from Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG), soldiers, and 4,000 policemen for the matches in Rawalpindi, Sheikh Rasheed said.

      “We also tried to convince them to play the match without spectators. But they did not agree to it,” he disclosed.

      “None of our intelligence agencies, which are among the best in the world, have any information about a threat. Pakistan is playing a major role in the region and they do not want us to prosper.”

      Indian media was “defaming Pakistan”, said the interior minister, adding that its designs would be foiled.

      “We have sacrificed before and peace will prevail here at all costs,” he stressed.

      Following this, the Pakistani officials spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan — who is currently in Tajikistan.

      “The prime minister was briefed on the matter. He then called New Zealand Prime Minister [Jacinda Ardern] and assured her that there was no security threat,” the interior minister said.

      However, Ardern said the NZ government had “received intelligence that the team could be attacked when it steps out to go to the stadium”, Sheikh Rasheed added.

      “It is their decision. We had deployed heavy security for the team. Pakistan is a peace promoter in the world. And this tour was cancelled through a conspiracy. It is their (NZ’s) problem and what they decide.”