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.
Countries with more female politicians pass more ambitious climate policies, study suggests
12th September, 2019
By Samantha Harrington People worried about global warming often want their leaders to enact ambitious climate policies. A recent study suggests that electing female politicians can help make that happen. A special event at the November 2016 UN climate change conference in Marrakech highlighted women’s leadership in addressing climate change. (Photo credit: UN Climate Change...
The ‘Samoan Model’ adapts gender quotas to Pacific politics
14th August, 2019
By Kerryn Baker, ANU The Pacific Women in Power Forum, held in March 2019 in Fiji, brought together women members of parliament (MPs) from the region to discuss women’s participation in public life. While elections in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam and Solomon Islands have brought in record numbers of women MPs, the Pacific region...
A New Day for Solomon Islands’ Women?
01st July, 2019
[By Joshua McDonald, 1 July 2019] The recent national election in the Solomon Islands resulted in the highest representation of women in government the country has had since it gained independence in 1978. In a country where women have long suffered high rates of gender-based violence and discrimination, the election results were a cause for...
Vanuatu’s women-only party aims to get more females into politics
17th June, 2019
By Catherine Graue on Pacific Beat Download Vanuatu: Women-only party to counter male-dominated politics (Download 2.91 MB) Political parties in Vanuatu are already lobbying ahead of next year’s national election, due early in the 2020 — while the current Government of Prime Minister Charlot Salwai holds on to power, despite constant threats of votes of...
We need Temporary Special Measure to address women representation in PNG Parliament
26th April, 2019
By Mary Fairio, Gender in PNG Program Research Fellow, PNG National Research Institute The Prime Minister’s recent announcement regarding reserved seats in Parliament has brought about much public debate on the merits of temporary special measures (TSM). This blog explains why we need temporary special measures. PNG’s political history demonstrates the lack of women’s representation...
Formation of Women MPs Network to Further Equal Representation in Pacific Parliaments
28th March, 2019
Nadi, Fiji – The inaugural Pacific Women in Power Forum which ended on Wednesday, 27 March has confirmed the need for an ongoing Pacific regional network of women Members of Parliament, which aims to encourage more women to enter politics and support current women MPs. The two-day Forum attracted women MPs from seven Pacific island...
Pacific Women in Power Forum discusses pathways to increase women’s political participation
27th March, 2019
27 March 2019 Nadi, Fiji – In recognising that the Pacific, as a region, has the lowest level of women’s political representation globally, concerted efforts are being made to ensure equal representation in respective national parliaments. 30 women Members of Parliament from six Pacific island countries are participating in the Pacific Women in Power Forum organised...
Te-Hani Brown wins Cook Islands by-election
20th March, 2019
Te-Hani Brown has regained her seat in the Cook Islands parliament after winning a by-election. Party-hopping rules had forced the by-election after Ms Brown defected from the opposition Democratic Party in January. She stood again in the Tengatangi Areora and Ngatiarua electorate as an independent. The 22 year old polled 78 votes, 33 ahead of...
Solomon Islands: Record number of women candidates for elections
07th March, 2019
Solomon Islands has a population of approximately 611,343 people (2017 census). The national Parliament has 50 members, and Elections are held every 4 years. The last general election was held on 19th November 2014. The electoral system uses a first-past-the-post system, which has made it very difficult for women to get elected. To date, there have been no further changes to the electoral...
Power Of The Pack: Women Who Support Women Are More Successful
06th March, 2019
By Shelley Zalis I always say a woman alone has power; collectively we have impact. Traditionally we have been taught to be competitive with one another, because there was such a scarcity of jobs at the top. It’s so clear that strategy doesn’t work. The truth is that raising each other up and channeling the...
Hon. Te Hani Brown from Cook Islands reflects on her journey into Politics as the Pacific’s youngest MP
17th December, 2018
The youngest Member of Parliament in the Pacific, Hon. Te Hani Brown was elected into Parliament in June 2018, following the Cook Islands national elections. She caused a landslide victory over more seasoned politicians, scooping 56% of the total votes. In this interview, Hon Brown sits with the Effective Governance Team Leader for the UNDP Pacific...
Fiji: 10 women elected to Parliament
26th November, 2018
THE new Parliament make-up includes 10 women. This comprise five in Government and five in the Opposition. Premila Kumar, Selai Adimaitoga, Veena Bhatnagar, Mereseini Vuniwaqa and Rosy Akbar will make up the 27-member FijiFirst led Government while, Social Democratic Liberal Party members Lynda Tabuya, Ro Teimumu Kepa, Salote Radrodro, Adi Litia Qionibaravi and National Federation Party...