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...
Third PNG Practice Parliament for Women trains women before 2022 election
14th March, 2022
Port Moresby, 14 March 2022: Today, 58 women from across the country came together at the Third Practice Parliament for Women which is being held in Port Moresby. The Practice Parliament is being implemented as a partnership between the Independent Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC), National Parliament, Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR)...
Dr Perpetua Konman Seated as First Woman in the FSM Congress
13th December, 2021
WENO, CHUUK. December 13, 2021. – Dr. Perpetua Sappa Konman made history today as the first ever woman to be sworn in and seated as a Member of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. The Third Special Session of the 22nd Congress virtually convened today to address measures still pending before the Body...
Young women practice debating their views in parliamentary setting
11th October, 2021
Thirty young women entered the Fale Alea ‘of Tonga today, for a “practice parliament” to celebrate the International Day of the Girl today, October 11. This week, the young women will debate their views in a parliamentary setting. International Day of the Girl is declared by the United Nations to address the challenges girls face...
Samoa’s first female leader has made history
28th July, 2021
[Patricia O’Brien, 28 July 2021] – After nearly four months of being taken to the brink of dictatorship, Samoa’s constitutional crisis ended on July 26 when the prime minister for the past 23 years, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, conceded defeat. With the April 9 election loss, the 40-year dominance of Samoan politics by Tuilaepa’s Human Rights...
Publications
Electing the First Woman to the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia
On 29 November 2021, the voters in the Southern Namoneas election district in the state of Chuuk elected Dr Perpetua S. Konman as the first woman in the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It caught the nation by surprise as many citizens believe that women still have a long struggle to become...
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....