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.
Mixed reaction to new Solomon Island MP Vika Lusibaea
30th August, 2012
A prominent women’s leader in Solomon Islands says there has been a mixed reaction to the election of only the second woman MP in the country’s history and the current parliament’s sole woman representative. Hon Vika Lusibaea, who is from Fiji, achieved a substantial victory over her nine male rivals in the North Malaita by-election. Mrs Lusibaea is the wife of...
FSM Speaker Figir proposes reserved seats for women in FSM Constitution
28th August, 2012
27 AUGUST 2012 POHNPEI (MARIANAS VARIETY) — Speaker Isaac V. Figir of the 17th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia has authored three legislative measures to explore alternatives for the future of the nation. The first is a revision of a bill introduced during the 16th Congress to create four additional seats for women in the FSM Congress. Congressional Bill 17-147, proposes to amend the...
Pacific MPs commit to end violence against women in the region
27th August, 2012
Regional members of parliament from ten Pacific Island countries expressed strong political commitment to address all forms of violence against women in the region by signing a statement that sets out 18 points of action under the framework of the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign. This builds on the existing 2009 Cairns Pacific...
Ms Lavenia Padarath is new Fiji Fiji Labour Party president
27th August, 2012
Seasoned politician and former Minister for Women, Culture and Social Welfare, Lavenia Padarath was elected as the new president of Fiji Labour Party Saturday in Nadi during the party’s annual conference which took place after a lapse of four years. Padarath, a retired nurse was unanimously elected in the position which became vacant after the death of Jokapeci Koroi last year. The party also elected David...
SI Women want changes in voter registration
27th August, 2012
Local women leaders are calling for reform in the voter registration process. They said that it was important for the Electoral Commission to revisit its voter registry with the aim of bringing reform. Their call was made during a three-day workshop on elections and good governance that ended in Honiara last Wednesday. Director of Voice Blo Mere...
Tangariki Reete disappointed Kiribati failed to establish Ministry for Women and Youth
24th August, 2012
Kiribati’s National Council of Women is meeting with both government and opposition MPs today after an attempt to set up a new ministry for women and youth failed. The bill to amend the constitution, which is needed before the ministry can be established, was defeated during the second reading last week. Tangariki Reete says she’s disappointed it...
Politics in PNG: It’s a man’s world
24th August, 2012
From The Interpreter, by The Lowley Institute by Danielle Cave – 1 August 2012 Hordes of newly elected Papua New Guinean MPs are now engaged in post-election horse-trading (or as one blogger puts it, the ‘PNG shuffle’). As those with power stitch together a coalition government, one side story is attracting some deserved attention. Two women have achieved the virtually impossible and been elected to Papua...
Push for women in Vanuatu Parliament
23rd August, 2012
After years of supporting male candidates in elections, female leaders in Vanuatu say it’s time for men to show their support for female candidates. The issue was highlighted in the media this week after a group of high profile women boycotted a speech by MP Ralph Regenvanu. The claim Mr Regenvanu reneged on a deal support women in...
Solomon Islands’ women tackle politics – Workshop begins
21st August, 2012
Solomon Islands’ women tackle politics – Interview (Credit: ABC) A workshop in the Solomon Islands hopes to improve local women’s ability to participate in and understand politics. Josephine Teakeni tells Bethany Keats about the workshop. The workshop is being run by Voice Blo Mere and the government’s Civic Education Unit with help from UN Women. Josephine Teakeniis the director of...
Malaita government vows to support women
21st August, 2012
Malaita Provincial Government through its regional governing body aims to support women in the province. Speaking to the Solomon Star Premier Edwin Suibaea said the provincial government has set polices that will address women issues in the province. Mr Suibaea said the policy encourage gender equality, encourage women as micro entrepreneurs and empower them to become politicians. He said 75,000...
Solomon Islands Women Discuss Politics
21st August, 2012
ISSUES which hinders women from participating in the political arena were discussed yesterday. The discussion was held at the parliament conference room in Honiara. Speaking in her presentation yesterday UN women National Program Coordinator for Gender Equality in Political Governance Audrey Manu said the workshop was to empower women to effectively advocate women’s issues which...
Vanuatu voters urged to boycott male candidates
20th August, 2012
A total of eleven women leaders confirmed boycotting MP Ralph Regenvanu’ssession during the “Women in Shared Decision Making Candidacy Training” Workshop at Crystal Blue last week. Port Vila proposed candidates Wendy Himford and Jenny Ligo said it was a slap in the face especially for the four proposed candidates who are going to contest against MP Regenvanu and five other candidates in the...