National Women MPs

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Women have never comprised more than 30% of the membership of national parliaments in the Pacific Islands Countries since Independence (not counting Australia, New Zealand, and the territories of United States of America and French respectively in the region), and the percentage of women in Pacific parliaments currently hovers at 8.4% (as at February 2021).

Regional Trends:

Pacific Women MPs 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019  2020 2023
24
Numbers 26 32 30 35 40 44 47 49 55
54
% 4.7 5.7 5.4 6.3 6.6 7.2 7.7 8.1 8.9
8.8
 
Representation at sub-national decision-making is at similarly low levels. In comparison, the Inter-Parliamentary Union reports that the world average of all elected members (as of March 2022) is 26% women and 74% men.

In Pacific Islands Forum countries, not including Australia and New Zealand, as of March 2024 there are only 54 women MPs out of 614 MPs altogether who are currently sitting in their national legislatures.

Countries Number of MPs Number of Women % of Women
Cook Islands 24 6 25
Niue 20 5 25
Tokelau 20 4 20
Federated States of Micronesia 14 2 14.3
Fiji 51 6 11.8
Tonga 26* 3 11.5
PNG – Autonomous Region of Bougainville
44 5 11.4
Samoa 53 6** 11.3
Nauru 19 2 10.5
Kiribati 46 4 8.6
Solomon Islands 50 4 8.0
Palau 29*** 2 (plus female Vice President) 6.9
Marshall Islands 33 2 6.1
Papua New Guinea
118 3 2.5
Vanuatu 52 1 1.9
Tuvalu 15 0 0.0
* This includes the elected representatives of the Nobles (9 members) and the people (17 members).

**This includes the 4 elected women representatives together with the next highest polling woman included as part of Samoa’s ‘special measure’ for a minimum of 10% of women’s representation in Parliament.

*** This number refers to both Houses of Congress in Palau – the House of Delegates with 16 members, and the House of Senate with 13 members.

Hon. Agnes Helen Armstrong

Party: Democratic Party

Term: 2019 - 2022

Electorate: Ivirua

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Parliament

Hon. Selina Napa

Party: Democratic Party

Term: N/A

Electorate: Titikaveka

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Parliament

Hon. Te Hani Brown

Party: Democratic Party

Term: 2018 - 2021

Electorate: Tengtangi-Areora-Ngatiarua

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Parliament

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Hon. Tetangi Matapo

Party: Democratic Party

Term: N/A

Electorate: Tamarua Constituency

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Parliament

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Hon. Tina Browne

Party: Democratic Party

Term: 2018 - 2021

Electorate: Rakahanga

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Parliament (Opposition)

Hon. Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown

Party: Cook Islands Party

Term: N/A

Electorate: Teenui-Mapumai Constituency

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister for Health, and holds the portfolio for Justice, and Agriculture

Hon Alitia Bainivalu

Party: People's Alliance Party

Term: 2022-current

Electorate: N/A

Province: N/A

Political Status: Asst Min. for Tourism & Civil Aviation

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Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua

Party: National Federation Party

Term: 2018-2022; 2022-current

Electorate: N/A

Province: N/A

Political Status: MP; Deputy Speaker

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Hon. Lynda Tabuya

Party: Social Democratic LIberal Party

Term: 2018-2022; 2022-current

Electorate: Fiji

Province: N/A

Political Status: Min. for Women, Children & Poverty All.

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Hon. Premila Kumar

Party: FijiFirst

Term: 2018-2022; 2022-current

Electorate: N/A

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Opposition

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Hon. Rosy Sofia Akbar

Party: FijiFirst

Term: 2014-18; 2018-22; 2022-current

Electorate: Fiji

Province: N/A

Political Status: Previous Minister; current Opposition

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Hon. Sashi Kiran

Party: National Federation Party

Term: 2022-current

Electorate: N/A

Province: N/A

Political Status: Assistant Minister of Woman, Children and Poverty Alleviation

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Hon (Dr) Merlynn Abello-Alfonso

Party: N/A

Term: 2023-current

Electorate: Kolonia, Sokehs, Sapwafik, Nukuoro, and Kapingamarangi

Province: Pohnpei State

Political Status: N/A

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Senator Perpetua Sappa Konman

Party: N/A

Term: 2021-2023; 2023-current

Electorate: District 3 (Southern Namoneas)

Province: Chuuk State

Political Status: Senator

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Hon Taabeta Teakai

Party: Independent

Term: 2020 - ongoing

Electorate: South Tarawa

Province: N/A

Political Status: N/A

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Hon Teima Onorio

Party: Boutokan Te Koaua (Government)

Term: 2003 - 2007; 2007 - 2012; 2012 - 2016; 2020 - ongoing

Electorate: Arorae

Province: Arorae

Political Status: Member of the Opposition

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Hon Tessie Lambourne

Party: Independent

Term: 2020 - ongoing

Electorate: Abemama

Province: N/A

Political Status: N/A

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Hon. Shiu Fung Jong

Party: Pillars of Truth

Term: 2016-2020; 2020 - ongoing

Electorate: South Tarawa

Province: N/A

Political Status: N/A

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Hon Dr. Hilda Heine

Party: Independent

Term: 2011-15, 2015-current

Electorate: Aur

Province: N/A

Political Status: Opposition Member

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Hon Kitlang Kabua

Party: N/A

Term: 2019 - current

Electorate: Kwajalein Municipality

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister of Education, Sports and Training

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Hon Charmaine Eraidinomo Scotty

Party: N/A

Term: June 2013 - June 2016; July 2016 - 2019; 2019 - 2022

Electorate: Constituency of Yaren

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Parliament

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Hon. Isabelle Dageago

Party: Independent

Term: 2019 - 2022

Electorate: Yaren District

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister for Health; and Home Affairs

Hon. Joan Sisiati Tahafa Viliamu

Party: N/A

Term: 2

Electorate: Common roll (Open seat)

Province: N/A

Political Status: MP - Common Roll seat

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Hon. Maureen Melekitama

Party: N/A

Term: 1

Electorate: Mutulau

Province: N/A

Political Status: MP

Hon. Mona Ainuu

Party: N/A

Term: 1

Electorate: Tuapa

Province: N/A

Political Status: MP

Hon. O’Love Jacobsen

Party: N/A

Term: 1

Electorate: Common roll (Open seat)

Province: N/A

Political Status: MP - Common Roll seat

Hon. Va’aiga Paotama Tukuitonga

Party: N/A

Term: 2

Electorate: Alofi North

Province: N/A

Political Status: MP

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Delegate Victoria Ngiratkakl-Kanai

Party: N/A

Term: 2016-2020; 2020-current

Electorate: Airai State

Province: Airai State

Political Status: Delegate

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Senator Cecilia Elbedechel

Party: N/A

Term: 2020-current

Electorate: Common Roll

Province: National Senate

Political Status: Current Senator

Senator Rukebai Inabo

Party: None

Term: 2016-20; 2020-current

Electorate: Common Roll

Province: National Senate

Political Status: Current Senator

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Vice-President J. Uduch Sengebau-Senior

Party: None

Term: Senator (2012-16; 2016-20); Vice President 2021 - current

Electorate: N/A

Province: Palau

Political Status: Vice-President of Palau

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Governor Rufina Peter

Party: Independent

Term: 2022-current

Electorate: Central Regional

Province: Central

Political Status: Governor of Central Province

Hon Francesca Rianna Semoso OBE

Party: Pangu Pati

Term: 2023-current

Electorate: North Bougainville Open

Province: Autonomous Region of Bougainville

Political Status: Current MP

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Hon Kessy Sawang

Party: People First Party

Term: 2022-current

Electorate: Rai Coast Open

Province: Madang

Political Status: MP

No Women MPs

Hon Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tuuau

Party: HRPP

Term: 2016-2021; 2021-current

Electorate: Elected through women's quota

Province: N/A

Political Status: Opposition Member

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Hon Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai

Party: HRPP

Term: 2021-current

Electorate: Elected through women's quota

Province: N/A

Political Status: Opposition Member

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Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa

Party: F.A.S.T Party

Term: 1985 - current

Electorate: Lotofaga

Province: N/A

Political Status: Prime Minister

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Hon Matamua Vasati Pulufana

Party: F.A.S.T Party

Term: 2021-current

Electorate: Fa’asaleleaga No.1

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister of Justice

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Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo

Party: F.A.S.T Party

Term: 2021 - current

Electorate: Palauli No.1

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister of Finance

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Hon Tofa Faimalotoa Kika Iemaima Stowers

Party: Human Rights Peoples Party

Term: 2014-2016; 2016-2021; 2021-current

Electorate: Gagaifomauga No.1

Province: N/A

Political Status: MP

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Hon Ethel Lency Vokia

Party: Independent

Term: 2020 - ongoing

Electorate: North East Guadalcanal

Province: Guadalcanal

Political Status: Member of Parliament

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Hon Freda Tuki Soriocomua

Party: People’s Alliance Party

Term: 2014-2018; 2019 to current

Electorate: Temotu Vatud

Province: Temotu

Political Status: Minister for Women, Youth, and Children's Affairs & MP

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Hon Lillian Maefai

Party: OUR Party

Term: 2019 - current

Electorate: East Makira

Province: Makira Province

Political Status: Member of Parliament

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Hon. Lanelle Tanangada

Party: Kadere Party of Solomon Islands

Term: 2018-2019; 2019 to current

Electorate: Gizo/Kolombangara

Province: Western

Political Status: Minister for Education & MP

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‘Akosita Havili Lavulavu

Party: Independent

Term: 2: 2016 - 2017; 2017 - 2021

Electorate: Vava'u 16

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister of Cabinet for Government

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Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu

Party: N/A

Term: 2019 - 2021

Electorate: Appointed

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister for Health

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Hon. Losaline Ma’asi

Party: N/A

Term: 1: October 2017 - current

Electorate: Tongatapu 5

Province: N/A

Political Status: Member of Parliament

No Women MPs

Hon Julia King

Party: N/A

Term: 2022-current

Electorate: Mele

Province: Port Vila

Political Status: Current MP