Pacific women MPs share the push for more representation in parliaments

Last week, 29 women parliamentarians from 14 Pacific countries journeyed to New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington to participate in a three-day event aimed at increasing female leadership in politics across the region. The Tuākana, Tēina, Whenua, Talanoa Wānanga, which emphasized leadership development, networking, and sharing ideas, highlighted the ongoing struggle to overcome barriers that prevent more women from entering politics in the Pacific.

While women hold only 7.7% of parliamentary seats in the region, compared to the global average of 27.6%, the attending MPs acknowledged various obstacles, including cultural norms that traditionally favor men in governance, economic challenges of balancing family and public roles, and societal perceptions of women in political spaces.

Lenora Qereqeretabua, Fiji's Assistant Minister and Deputy Speaker, pointed to temporary special measures as a proven strategy for increasing women's presence in politics. These measures involve political parties committing to a certain percentage of women candidates in all elections. Despite Fiji's relatively low representation, women who are already in politics are making a significant impact, with one example being Alitia Bainivalu, Fiji's first female Fisheries and Forests Minister, who has boosted female enrollment in the fishing and forestry sectors.

Ruta Baabo Manate, representing Kiribati, noted that her country's dispersed geography poses an additional challenge for women candidates, as many voters reside on outer islands far from the capital. Manate observed that most women MPs hail from capital cities, despite the country's scattered population, emphasizing both the complexity and unique advantages of living on Tarawa.

The Pacific women MPs, united by their shared experiences and goals, discussed the multifaceted nature of their journey towards greater political representation.