New Zealand's female politicians have marked 125 years since women were eligible to vote in their country with a symbolic photo replicating an all-male photo taken in parliament in 1905.
In this week's version, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is pictured cradling her three-month old daughter, Neve Te Aroha, and surrounded by 39 out of the country’s 46 female MPs. It was taken in the same room as the black and white photo, which features 23 men in three-piece suits and, noticeably, no women.
“What a difference 113 years makes!” tweeted Golriz Ghahraman
Politician Nikki Kaye posted a selfie of the occasion with the comment “125 years since NZ women secured the right to vote we acknowledge the suffragettes for their courage and fight to deliver this. Still so much more to do.”
Forty-six women were elected at the 2017 election, representing over 38 per cent of the parliament. It’s the highest share since women were first eligible to stand, surpassing the previous record of 41 MPs in 2008.
Wednesday marked 125 years since the bill allowing women to vote in parliamentary elections was signed into law by Lord Glasgow.
Women first went to the polls later that year, but were not eligible to stand for elections until 1919.
As part of the anniversary, Ms Ardern was also a guest editor of the New Zealand Herald for the 125th Suffrage edition published on Wednesday.
It featured a photograph of the Prime Minister, joined former female leaders Dame Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark in a photograph for the first time.
Ms Ardern wrote on Instagram, “there aren’t too many places in the world that have had three female Prime Ministers, so we came together. This photo is a tribute to women, but also to New Zealand who put us there.”
