Woman to have baby is really not a news story. But a prime minister?

RASHMEE ROSHAN LALL January 19, 2018

Jacinda Ardern

Put a 37-year-old woman in the prime minister’s office and the next thing you know she’s having a baby.

It’s funny but the news from New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s office is exactly what first propelled her to global attention.

In early August, soon after being elected to lead the country’s Labour party, Ms Ardern was interviewed about her baby plans and responded vehemently. She said it was “unacceptable” for any employer to ask a woman whether or not she intended to have children. And she shrugged off questions about who would run the country if she were elected prime minister and became prime minister.

Now, that is exactly what has come to pass.

Ms Ardern, who became prime minister in October, is expected to give birth in June.

Ms Ardern’s deputy, Winston Peters, will take over to allow Ardern to take six weeks of maternity leave after the baby is born. In a statement Ardern said she intended to be “fully contactable” during her period of maternity leave.

What’s interesting is the interest in the news. Woman to have baby is really not a news story.