The inference here, I suppose is that Ardern, 42, and Marin, 37, were having a photo op because it would be cool to see two young leaders on the same stage together. I mean, why else would two Prime Ministers actually have a trade meeting, right? Besides the casual sexism, the question is just an exercise in cynicism.

Source: Washington Post

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin hit back after a male reporter suggested they were meeting only because they were a similar age — a question that quickly drew accusations of “casual sexism” in the media against younger, female world leaders.
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But a reporter zoomed in on what he seemed to think was the most important thing Ardern, 42, and Marin, 37, have in common. “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?” the reporter from New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB asked.

Ardern, looking slightly incredulous, replied: “I wonder whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age,” referring to New Zealand’s former prime minister who was born five days after the former U.S. president.

“We of course have a higher proportion of men in politics, it’s reality. Because two women meet, it’s not simply because of their gender,” Ardern said. Shen then described the trade relations and economic opportunities between the two countries, adding: “It’s our job to further it, regardless of our gender.”

Meanwhile, Marin said with a laugh: “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.”