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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.

Tonga’s Queen Nanasipau‘u Welcomes Women’s Parliament

09th April, 2014

Tonga’s first Practice Parliament for Women is a crucial milestone and marks a very positive step forward for Tonga, said Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho in opening the event today, April 7, in Nuku’alofa at the Faonelua Convention Centre. This was “a historical day for the people of Tonga but in particular a joyous day for women,” the Queen told 30-women representatives, who were selected...

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New map shows progress for women in politics, but glass ceiling remains firm

13th March, 2014

A global map of women in politics launched Tuesday by UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) showed that while progress on women’s political participation continues to be largely positive across the world, glass ceilings remain firmly in place for women at the highest levels. “The Women in Politics Map 2014,” which presents the latest data on women in executive government and in parliament, reveals similar regional trends in women’s representation in both spheres, with the Americas, Europe and Africa outperforming the Arab, Asia and Pacific regions. “Every election is a critical opportunity to make progress towards the increased participation of women as voters and as candidates,” said John Hendra, deputy executive director of UN Women, at a press conference here in the UN headquarters in New York,while launching the Map and IPU’s Women in Parliament 2013 study. “This map shows the value of having data, of being able to measure and track women’s political participation over time. It’s a great tool for benchmarking progress and for ensuring accountability,” he said. The Map shows that in executive government, the percentage of women in ministerial posts has now reached 17.2 percent, up from 16.1 percent in 2008. By Jan. 1 this year, there were 36 countries with 30 percent or more women ministers, a jump from 26 in 2012. With 14 women in such posts, Nicaragua heads the global table of women in executive government, followed by Sweden, Finland, France, Cape Verde and Norway. The data on women in politics also sheds light on the progress made for women in parliament. The annual IPU study shows that the percentage of women MPs is now at a record high of21.8 percent globally with numbers growing every year. There are also 46 countries with more than 30 percent of women MPs in at least one chamber, up from 42 in January 2013.The trend, if continues, would bode well for women’s political participation in the future. “More women are now in politics and influencing the political agenda at higher levels. That is clear. But not at the very highest level,” said Anders B. Johnsson, IPU Secretary General, at the press conference. IPU is an international organization that brings together the representatives of parliaments of states. The IPU is the focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and cooperation among peoples with a view to strengthening representative institutions. Another positive trend highlighted in the IPU-UN Women Map is that while the traditionally “soft” portfolios such as social affairs, education or women’s affairs continue to be most common among women ministers, more women are now holding some of the so-called “hard” ministerial portfolios such as defense, foreign affairs and the environment. In sharp contrast to these more positive figures and trends is the slight decline or stagnation of figures on women Heads of State/Heads of Government and women Speakers of Parliament. Since 2012, the number of women Heads of State or Heads of Government has decreased slightly from 19 to 18. The Americas is the region with the largest number of women at the highest political level with six Heads of State or Heads of Government. The Pacific is the only region without women in these positions. Meanwhile, the percentage of women Speakers of Parliament has barely risen from 14.2percent in 2012 to 14.8 percent in 2013. In comparison, the percentage of women Deputy Speakers of Parliament is significantly higher at 26.5 percent, suggesting that this is often the glass ceiling for women MPs. “Some leaders have broken the glass ceiling for women through their own personal vision and political will. They have shown the critical importance of political leadership in effecting change. We now need more leaders to show the same political courage,” said the IPU secretary-general. Read the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_Report_2013.pdf  (World Economic Forum)   [Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90777/8562840.html]

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Palau women Senators impressed with Australian politics

17th February, 2014

Senators Jerilin Senior and Rukebai Inabo have been in Canberra observing how Australia’s parliament works, as part of the Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Program. Presenter: Bruce Hill Palau Senators Rukebai Inabo & Jerilin Senior SENIOR: It’s also very expensive as well. The financing for campaigns I’m sure, and I can say this for maybe each member of parliament, they probably spend, each one must have spent over...

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Tonga: Speaker wants more women in Parliament

17th February, 2014

The Speaker of the Tongan parliament, Lord Fakafanua today launched a program, the Practice Parliament for Women. The program aims at encouraging women to enter parliament. Lord Fakafanua announced the initiative this morning, and launched a nationwide public awareness program to encourage interested women, from age 21 upward to apply for a seat in the 30 seats, Practice Parliament for Women....

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Solomon Islands Mock womens Parliament gathers forty

12th February, 2014

A total of forty – seven women intending candidates and women leaders from 8 provinces in the Solomon Islands are currently taking part in the Solomon Islands Mock Parliament for women at the National Parliament House in Honiara. The highlight of the four days program will be the Mock women’s Parliament where these forty –...

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Solomon MP calls for reserved seats for women in national parliament

12th February, 2014

Solomon Islands Member of Parliament Hon. Milner Tozaka says he supports reserved seats for women in the national parliament and calls on the government to legislate the proposal before parliament dissolves in September 2014. Mr Tozaka made these remarks at a recent three-day regional consultation on human rights for members of parliament in Auckland, New Zealand on 15–17 January...

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Solomon Islands holds Mock Parliament Training for women

11th February, 2014

A MOCK parliament for women will be conducted at the National Parliament from February 10 to 13. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in close collaboration with the UNDP Pacific Centre, the  National Parliament of Solomon Islands and the Solomon Islands Government are organising the event. This is part of moves to advance women’s participation in leadership and decision making. The...

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Pacific Women Leaders Stand Together

03rd February, 2014

A group of Pacific women parliamentarians, former parliamentarians, future parliamentarians, policy makers and civil society are meeting in Fiji to advance women’s political participation and leadership in the region. The Pacific Islands have consistently produced the lowest number of women in governance in the world. In the Islands that comprise the Pacific Island Forum (without Aust and...

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Women Advance in Distant Islands

23rd December, 2013

BUALA, Solomon Islands, Dec 21 2013 (IPS) – Women’s political representation in the Pacific Islands region is globally the lowest at 3.65 percent, compared to the world average of 18 percent. Leadership is still widely perceived as ‘men’s business’ and voting is heavily influenced by nepotism and money politics. However, Rhoda Sikilabu, minister for community affairs in Isabel...

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Women in Politics in Fiji

02nd December, 2013

Parliament needs to reflect the society it represents, says Fiji Women’s Rights Movement’s executive director Virisila Buadromo. Explaining why it was important to support temporary special measures for women in Parliament, she said: “It is not about giving women special privileges but it is about narrowing the gap and addressing the historical discrimination women have faced in...

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Dame Carol Kidu calls for female poltical action

27th November, 2013

Papua New Guinea’s former Minister for Community Services, Dame Carol Kidu, has told aspiring female politicians that reserved seats for women can play a vital role in ensuring Pacific countries have a genuinely representative democracy. Dame Carol was speaking at a Commonwealth Women Parliamentarian’s Youth Forum at New South Wales Parliament House this morning. [ABC Radio...

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Grooming women leaders in Fiji communities

21st November, 2013

A GROUP of women from Bulileka and Urata in Labasa are attending a three-day leadership training to help them discover their skills and potential in becoming peace-builders, . The training, facilitated by the Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding, is aimed at helping women identify ways of ensuring peace in their respective communities, resolving conflicts and becoming good leaders. Centre supervisor Northern Sindhu Prasad said: “As...

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