Francesca Semoso: Bougainville’s first woman MP in PNG’s parliament
31st October, 2023
[30 October 2023] Francesca Semoso will be the third woman member of parliament in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) national parliament after she won the North Bougainville open seat in a by-election last week. The MP-elect also becomes the first woman from Bougainville to win a seat in PNG’s national parliament. The by-election followed the...
APIL congratulates Dr. Merlynn Abello Alfonso as new FSM Senator-Elect
20th April, 2023
APIL Resolution No. 62-BOD-04: Expressing the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures’ genuine congratulations to Merlynn Abello Alfonso M.D. on becoming the first Pohnpeian woman elected to the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. WHEREAS, on March 7, 2023, the FSM National Government held its 1 Congressional Election; and 2 WHEREAS, the State of Pohnpei...
Vanuatu to welcome first female MP since 2008 after snap election
22nd October, 2022
[21 October 2022] Votes are still being counted in Vanuatu’s snap election, but with the preliminary votes tallied, one change seems certain: Vanuatu’s all-male parliament is no more, with the first woman elected to office since 2008 likely to be announced within days. “I’m excited for Vanuatu women of course,” Julia King said. King looks...
PNG elects two women MPs in National General Election
03rd September, 2022
[By Natalie Whiting, 3 Sep 2022] Two members sitting on opposite sides of Papua New Guinea’s parliament are making waves after the country’s most recent election. They were the first women voted into PNG’s 118-seat parliament in five years. Kessy Sawang and Rufina Peter may be serving different constituents and different parties, but they share...
Sikilabu becomes first female premier in Solomon Islands
22nd March, 2022
[By Robert Iroga, 22 March 2022]: Rhoda Sikilabu is the new premier of Isabel Province and also the first female premier in the Solomon Islands. The MPA for Sigana Ward was declared as the new premier this opening after she was unopposed when nominations closed yesterday. “Yes, I can confirm that Rhoda is...
About PacWIP
At least in theory in the Pacific today, there are no formal obstacles to equal participation in national political and parliamentary processes. However, due to historical and ongoing social, cultural and economic barriers, in practice, there is still a noticeable imbalance in the representation of women and men in Pacific legislatures and sub-national decision-making bodies....