While ‘first ladies’ at the UN General Assembly is a pretty common sight, have you ever come across a ‘first baby’ in the same? Don’t’ think too much, because none of us had, until 24th September 2018.
In a first, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the first female world leader to attend the United Nations general assembly meeting with her newborn baby. The history-making appearance also saw her play with the 3-year-old, before moving up to give her speech at the Nelson Mandela speech summit.
The baby was also handed a mock pass which labelled her as the ‘first baby’. Isn’t that cute? Hell yeah!
Because everyone on twitter's been asking to see Neve's UN id, staff here whipped one up.
I wish I could have captured the startled look on a Japanese delegation inside UN yesterday who walked into a meeting room in the middle of a nappy change.
Great yarn for her 21st. pic.twitter.com/838BI96VYX— Clarke Gayford (@NZClarke) September 24, 2018
However, what’s cuter is how her partner Clarke Gayford, held daughter Neve Te Aroha on his lap, as Ardern delivered her speech. It is to be noted that Gayford, who is a fishing television presenter, is the baby’s primary carer.
According to The Guardian, Ardern mentioned that she would be happy if this helps people change the way they look at things.
“I have the ability to take my child to work, there’s not many places you can do that. I am not the gold standard for bringing up a child in this current environment because there are things about my circumstances that are not the same.
“If I can do one thing, and that is change the way we think about these things, then I will pleased we have achieved something.”
According to The Indian Express, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric termed the baby’s debut as the best surprise the United Nations could have got. He went on to heap praise on the Ardern for leading by example.
“Prime Minister Ardern is showing that no one is better qualified to represent her country than a working mother. Just 5 percent of the world’s leaders are women, so we need to make them as welcome here as possible.”
Twitter was elated to see the PM’s ‘practical decision’ of bringing Neve to the premiere. While some of them expressed how adorable the moment was, the others pointed out its massive influence.
This story is important because:
1. This should be the norm
2. The presence of a child may help politicians keep things in perspective
3. A reminder that we need a baby UNhttps://t.co/IzBbJHmyTT— Cam Williams (@MrCamW) September 25, 2018
This deserves a standing ovation.
What at utter indictment on the body that represents the entire planet and the old men who've been running it so far, that it has to wait 73 years for the inclusion of something as essential to humanity as the presence of a BABY in the building. Well done @jacindaardern
— 𝙿𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙱𝚊𝚢𝚕𝚎𝚢 (@peterbayley) September 25, 2018
Breaking barriers.
Big thanks to #NewZealand PM @jacindaardern for personally initiating Take your baby to the #UN Day.
Bold & important precedent for working parents everywhere. pic.twitter.com/6fwuClvUiA— Jen Crozier (@jencrozier) September 25, 2018
Ya know, for fathers worldwide, this sure is a damned fine look. New Zealand, our progressiveness is showing on the world stage–and doesn't it feel so fine? @NZClarke and baby Neve at the UN. #nzpol pic.twitter.com/43q4az70Tj
— Tracey Barnett (@TraceyBarnett) September 24, 2018
Need this, definitely.
I cannot stress how much the @UN – and the governments that comprise it – need this. https://t.co/d9NHkms96R
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) September 25, 2018
That’s great and I’m happy for her. Unfortunately, both my babies were banned from the UN Human Rights Council room in Geneva due to “security reasons”. My mum was walking with them on the corridors texting me when I had to come for nursing which I did in toilets & empty offices.
— Izsák-Ndiaye Rita (@IzsakRita) September 25, 2018
This one was for all the working mothers in the world.
This is amazing! Also, @jacindaardern becoming the first female leader to attend the @UN Genderal Assembly with a baby is challenging the conventional stereotypes women receive when returning to work or on their capacity to lead and be mothers! #girlstakeoverparliament https://t.co/g6kbR7uecF
— Caitlin Figueiredo (@CaitFigueiredo) September 25, 2018
You are awesome @jacindaardern! Some of these leaders have forgotten humanity. Seeing a baby will hopefully bring back some sense into them. #UNGA https://t.co/U4qlo0uiuV
— ፀደይ 𝕋𝕤𝕖𝕕𝕒𝕪 #DownDownዘረኛ (@Tseday) September 25, 2018
The baby’s going places, for sure.
That baby will accomplish more for #NewZealand’s global influence than many of the world leaders can at #UNGA… https://t.co/Gnaq4ypOhC
— Brett Bruen (@BrettBruen) September 24, 2018
In case you do not know, Jacinda Ardern is only the second world leader to give birth while in office. The first one being Benazir Bhutto, who gave birth to her daughter Bakhtawar in 1990.