News
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.
Palau women Senators impressed with Australian politics
17th February, 2014
Senators Jerilin Senior and Rukebai Inabo have been in Canberra observing how Australia’s parliament works, as part of the Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Program. Presenter: Bruce Hill Palau Senators Rukebai Inabo & Jerilin Senior SENIOR: It’s also very expensive as well. The financing for campaigns I’m sure, and I can say this for maybe each member of parliament, they probably spend, each one must have spent over...
Tonga: Speaker wants more women in Parliament
17th February, 2014
The Speaker of the Tongan parliament, Lord Fakafanua today launched a program, the Practice Parliament for Women. The program aims at encouraging women to enter parliament. Lord Fakafanua announced the initiative this morning, and launched a nationwide public awareness program to encourage interested women, from age 21 upward to apply for a seat in the 30 seats, Practice Parliament for Women....
Solomon Islands Mock womens Parliament gathers forty
12th February, 2014
A total of forty – seven women intending candidates and women leaders from 8 provinces in the Solomon Islands are currently taking part in the Solomon Islands Mock Parliament for women at the National Parliament House in Honiara. The highlight of the four days program will be the Mock women’s Parliament where these forty –...
Solomon MP calls for reserved seats for women in national parliament
12th February, 2014
Solomon Islands Member of Parliament Hon. Milner Tozaka says he supports reserved seats for women in the national parliament and calls on the government to legislate the proposal before parliament dissolves in September 2014. Mr Tozaka made these remarks at a recent three-day regional consultation on human rights for members of parliament in Auckland, New Zealand on 15–17 January...
Solomon Islands holds Mock Parliament Training for women
11th February, 2014
A MOCK parliament for women will be conducted at the National Parliament from February 10 to 13. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in close collaboration with the UNDP Pacific Centre, the National Parliament of Solomon Islands and the Solomon Islands Government are organising the event. This is part of moves to advance women’s participation in leadership and decision making. The...
Pacific Women Leaders Stand Together
03rd February, 2014
A group of Pacific women parliamentarians, former parliamentarians, future parliamentarians, policy makers and civil society are meeting in Fiji to advance women’s political participation and leadership in the region. The Pacific Islands have consistently produced the lowest number of women in governance in the world. In the Islands that comprise the Pacific Island Forum (without Aust and...
Women Advance in Distant Islands
23rd December, 2013
BUALA, Solomon Islands, Dec 21 2013 (IPS) – Women’s political representation in the Pacific Islands region is globally the lowest at 3.65 percent, compared to the world average of 18 percent. Leadership is still widely perceived as ‘men’s business’ and voting is heavily influenced by nepotism and money politics. However, Rhoda Sikilabu, minister for community affairs in Isabel...
Women in Politics in Fiji
02nd December, 2013
Parliament needs to reflect the society it represents, says Fiji Women’s Rights Movement’s executive director Virisila Buadromo. Explaining why it was important to support temporary special measures for women in Parliament, she said: “It is not about giving women special privileges but it is about narrowing the gap and addressing the historical discrimination women have faced in...
Dame Carol Kidu calls for female poltical action
27th November, 2013
Papua New Guinea’s former Minister for Community Services, Dame Carol Kidu, has told aspiring female politicians that reserved seats for women can play a vital role in ensuring Pacific countries have a genuinely representative democracy. Dame Carol was speaking at a Commonwealth Women Parliamentarian’s Youth Forum at New South Wales Parliament House this morning. [ABC Radio...
Grooming women leaders in Fiji communities
21st November, 2013
A GROUP of women from Bulileka and Urata in Labasa are attending a three-day leadership training to help them discover their skills and potential in becoming peace-builders, . The training, facilitated by the Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding, is aimed at helping women identify ways of ensuring peace in their respective communities, resolving conflicts and becoming good leaders. Centre supervisor Northern Sindhu Prasad said: “As...
Violence against women continues to be dire in the Pacific region
30th October, 2013
A budding young female politician in Fiji has received rape threats after deciding to throw her hat in the ring for elections next year. The young woman activist has not been put off standing, but her experience is part of the Pacific region’s dire record on violence against women, a record which remains one of...
Nauru MP says parliaments are not just for men
23rd October, 2013
(23 October 2013, Rarotonga) New Nauru politician Charmaine Scotty is bucking the trend. After being disillusioned with politics in her country, earlier this year Ms Scotty stood for parliament believing there was no reason she couldn’t do a better job than the men. She recently secured a seat in the national assembly, only the second woman to do so since...