This page collects stories on developments throughout the Pacific in promoting women in politics. Because many news sites in the Pacific archive their stories after a period of time, we have replicated the stories in full on this page, to keep an archive on efforts and article in the region. We thank all Pacific news colleagues for their contributions in sharing stories on women in politics. If you have a story we have missed, please send it to the PacWIP team on pacwip@gmail.com.
Fiji: Call for equality
11th April, 2018
By Vilimaina Naqelevuki. WOMEN need an equal seat not only in Parliament but also in local governments, including town municipal councils as well as district and provincial councils. These were the sentiments shared by the executive di rector of femLINKPacific Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls as the country prepares for the 2018 General Election. Ms Bhagwan-Rolls said including...
Fiji: Sabha supports women in politics
11th April, 2018
By Vishaal Kumar. WOMEN should be given equal opportunity as men in politics so they have a say and are able to make decisions which will affect not only them but also the entire country. These were the sentiments shared by the national president of Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji, Sarju Prasad, on the...
Woman of many talents – Seini Nabou
04th April, 2018
SEINI Nabou is a woman of many talents and after joining the National Federation Party (NFP) four years ago in 2014, Seini has gained the trust of the party hierarchy and has been entrusted major responsibilities. She is not only a provisional candidate for NFP for this year’s general election but is also the vice...
Cook Islands Women Parliamentarians Caucus to Boost Equal Representation
03rd April, 2018
Avarua, Cook Islands – With the establishment of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus, Cook Islands aims to further advance the effective participation of women at the highest decision-making body: the legislature.Cook Islands Women Parliamentarians Caucus to Boost Equal Representation of women at the highest decision-making body: the legislature. Appropriately launched on International Women’s Day, Thursday 8...
Need for visionary leadership in Fiji
02nd April, 2018
By Litia Cava. VETERAN politician Adi Sivia Qoro believes there is a need for visionary leadership in Fiji. Adi Sivia had contested the 2014 election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but this year she will be contesting the polls on a Unity Fiji party ticket. As the president of the party, Adi Sivia said there...
Tonga behind the international benchmark
28th March, 2018
Tonga is sitting well behind the international benchmark that the country has agreed to for women’s representation in parliament. Today is International Women’s Day and the director of Tonga’s Women and Children Crisis Centre said it is a good time to take stock of the fact that less than seven percent of MP’s are women....
Bill asks FSM to consider new non-voting seats for women in Congress
28th March, 2018
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Congress has introduced a bill (CB 20-116) that guarantees representation of women in the FSM Congress. If passed it would mean another referendum vote to change the Constitution to redefine FSM Congress. The bill is currently being shopped around by the Congress Standing Committee on Justice and Governmental Operations...
Changing politics trigger predictions for Fiji’s first woman prime minister
22nd March, 2018
By Nasik Swami in Suva. Fiji might see its first woman prime minister after this year’s general election, predicts New Zealand-based political sociologist Professor Steven Ratuva. Following in the tracks of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Dr Ratuva believes politics in Fiji is drifting away from the old patriarch-type where men led in the...
New woman MP for Fiji – Hon. Mere Samisoni
20th March, 2018
Electoral authorities in Fiji have awarded the vacant opposition seat in parliament to Mere Samisoni. The seat was left vacant by the death of SODELPA MP Ratu Sela Nanovo. Dr Samisoni was the next on the party list after Ratu Jone Kubuabola who was unavailable to take up the seat. Dr Samisoni is a prominent...
Tasmania elects majority of women in Australia state first
19th March, 2018
Tasmania has become the first state in Australian history to elect a majority of female MPs to its legislature. The state, Australia’s smallest, held its election on 3 March, but counting was not finalised until this week. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which is not a state, also elected a female-majority legislature in 2016. Thirteen...
Call for more women, youths in politics
16th January, 2018
THE Fiji Labour Party has called for more women and youths to show interest in politics. Party leader and former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry said while the party had received applications from individuals interested in contesting this year’s polls on the party’s ticket, he wanted more women and youths to apply. Mr Chaudhry said the...
Minister for Women encourages women to stand for the elections
16th January, 2018
Women across Fiji have been encouraged to stand for the elections this year and exercise their right to vote by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa. Speaking at the Nadroga Andhra Sangam Naari Sangh Women’s Forum last night, Vuniwaqa says women in Fiji are now having better access to justice when...