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.
Vanuatu women to seek quota for MPs
09th August, 2012
Women attending a political workshop in Vanuatu have agreed to pursue a quota system for the 2016 election. Nearly 20 women, who are intending to stand in the October election, have been attending a workshop organised by the department of women’s affairs into the workings of parliament and being an MP. Vanuatu voters have elected five women...
Vanuatu women urged to cooperate to be elected
09th August, 2012
A candidate for Vanuatu’s upcoming election says women candidates need to band together to get into parliament. 18 women have been attending a workshop organised by the department of women’s affairs into the workings of parliament and being an MP. Vanuatu voters have elected five women to the 52-seat parliament since independence in 1980 and...
Record number of female candidates for Vanuatu elections
09th August, 2012
18 women have shown their interest to run as candidates in Vanuatu’s general elections in two months time. Since independence in 1980, only five women have been elected as members of Vanuatu’s parliament. Midwife Rose Nabong, from the island of Ambrym in central Vanuatu, told the ABC it is important for Vanuatu’s women to break down barriers. “I think for...
More than 50 to vie for American Samoa elections- Including strong women congressional candidates
09th August, 2012
A total of 53 people are so far considering running for the American Samoa House of Representatives in November. 20 of the 21 seats in the House will be up for grabs. The chief election officer, Soliai Fuimaono, says 16 petitions have been filed with the necessary signatures and are now being verified by his staff. The...
Vanuatu women to seek quota for MPs
09th August, 2012
Women attending a political workshop in Vanuatu have agreed to pursue a quota system for the 2016 election. Nearly 20 women, who are intending to stand in the October election, have been attending a workshop organised by the department of women’s affairs into the workings of parliament and being an MP. Vanuatu voters have elected five women...
Mary Kamang thanks women voters in Madang, PNG
08th August, 2012
A WOMAN leader in Madang has thanked the people of Eastern Highlands for having the trust and confidence in a woman and voting her to represent them in parliament. The remarks are from Madang’s very own woman leader Mary Kamang and were made soon after the declaration of the duly elected governor of Eastern Highlands Province Julie Soso Akeke. Mrs Kamang who is also the...
18 Vanuatu women look to stand in October elections
08th August, 2012
Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs is helping to train women preparing to stand in the election. 18 women have been attending a workshop organised by the department on Efate into the workings of parliament and being an MP. It is part of efforts to increase women’s participation in the elections set for 30 October. Vanuatu voters have elected five...
PNG women can make it to parliament without reserved seats – new MP
08th August, 2012
One of Papua New Guinea’s three new female MPs says her success in the general election proves that women can make it to parliament without the creation of reserved seats. A former district Treasurer, Delilah Gore won the Sohe Open seat in Oro Province. She is one of two successful female candidates in the Triumph Heritage Empowerment...
Focus on more women politicians at Workshop for Pacific Parliaments in Apia
08th August, 2012
Inter Parliamentary Union focuses on more women politicians. Ensuring more women participation in politics and parliaments is one of the main focuses of the Regional Community Engagement Workshop for Pacific Parliaments that drew to close in Apia this week. The two day meeting was organized by the Parliament of Australia. It was officially opened by Prime...
PNG election results important recognition for women
07th August, 2012
For women in politics in Papua New Guinea, there’s now a third reason to celebrate. Yesterday it was announced Julie Soso has become the first women elected to parliament for the Highlands region. She’s also the third female to be elected to the country’s next parliament. It’s a stunning reversal of fortunes for women in politics. Earlier in...
PNG third female MP happy with election win
07th August, 2012
Papua New Guinea has elected its third woman to parliament in an unexpected and historic vote. Julie Soso was on Monday declared governor of Eastern Highlands province, defeating incumbent governor Malcolm Smith Kela and PNG’s first speaker of the house, Sir Barry Holloway. Soso is the first woman to be elected from PNG’s highlands region,...
“Soso Happy”: Julie Soso reflects on impact of LPV in PNG elections
07th August, 2012
[The National – by ZACHERY PER]: EASTERN Highlands yesterday celebrated electing the first female governor in Papua New Guinea as T.H.E Party candidate Julie Soso swept into office. The humble and outspoken women’s rights leader yesterday emerged from her Asariufa home on the outskirts of Goroka town to be declared the duly-elected governor of Eastern Highlands. Soso is the first woman to be elected...