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.
PNG IPPCC & UNDP hold successful National Forum on women’s political participation
20th January, 2022
Alotau, 20 January 2022: At the National Forum for Aspiring Women Leaders held in Alotau this week, the Registrar for Political Parties, Dr Alphonse Gelu, noted that the years between elections, and “in particular the months before an election is called, are critical opportunities for political parties to direct specific attention towards identifying good, strong candidates.” “We...
Dr Perpetua Konman Seated as First Woman in the FSM Congress
13th December, 2021
WENO, CHUUK. December 13, 2021. – Dr. Perpetua Sappa Konman made history today as the first ever woman to be sworn in and seated as a Member of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. The Third Special Session of the 22nd Congress virtually convened today to address measures still pending before the Body...
The ‘gals’ behind Samoa’s first woman PM
08th December, 2021
By Megha Mohan and Yousef Eldin, BBC 100 Women: There are fewer women in politics in the Pacific Islands than in any other part of the world, according to UN Women. But this year Samoa elected a woman as its head of government – only the second Pacific Island nation to do so – thanks...
Dr. Perpetua S. Konman Declared Official & Certified Winner of the FSM Special Election
29th November, 2021
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On November 29th, 2021, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—received the certified results of the November 12th, 2021 Special Election. The new Senator-elect for the FSM Congress’ Election District 3 of Chuuk State, representing the Southern Namoneas Region, is Dr. Perpetua S. Konman. Senator-elect Dr. Perpetua S. Konman...
Two more women MPs appointed in Samoa to make up six in the House
29th November, 2021
APIA SAMOA – 29 NOVEMBER 2021: Two extra women parliamentarians have been appointed by the Head of State and now make up six women members of parliament following last weekends by elections results. The warrant of appointment was issued this evening for the six constituencies that went to the polls last Friday, plus the two...
Young women practice debating their views in parliamentary setting
11th October, 2021
Thirty young women entered the Fale Alea ‘of Tonga today, for a “practice parliament” to celebrate the International Day of the Girl today, October 11. This week, the young women will debate their views in a parliamentary setting. International Day of the Girl is declared by the United Nations to address the challenges girls face...
12 women standing in Tonga elections in November 2021
30th September, 2021
[30 September 2021] – Tongans go to the polls on November 18 with less candidates than the previous two elections. There are 75 candidates for the 17 democratically-elected seats – down from 86 in 2017 and 104 in 2014. Among those, 12 women are standing. Kalafi Moala says these numbers show people have become disenchanted...
The future is female in PNG
15th September, 2021
[Leanne Jorari, 15 September 2021] – In 46 years of independence, only seven women have been elected to Papua New Guinea’s parliament. Can the tide turn? It seems fitting that the progressive political party that helped Papua New Guinea to independence 46 years ago, and has been the ruling party for the past two years,...
Samoa’s first woman prime minister finally takes office
09th September, 2021
[Kerryn Baker, ANU, 9 Sept 2021] – The prolonged constitutional crisis that had engulfed Samoa since the 9 April 2021 election finally concluded on 23 July with a Court of Appeal ruling. The court ruled that the 24 May swearing-in of Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and...
Temporary special measures in PNG – latest developments
12th August, 2021
[Dr Orovu Sepoe, 12 August 2021] – This is the second of a two-part blog mapping the long and slow journey of temporary special measures (TSM) in PNG – measures designed to increase women’s participation in politics. This part brings the journey up to date, and speculates on the uncertainty remaining around TSM as the...
Samoa’s first female leader has made history
28th July, 2021
[Patricia O’Brien, 28 July 2021] – After nearly four months of being taken to the brink of dictatorship, Samoa’s constitutional crisis ended on July 26 when the prime minister for the past 23 years, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, conceded defeat. With the April 9 election loss, the 40-year dominance of Samoan politics by Tuilaepa’s Human Rights...
Samoa set to appoint first female PM – Fiame Naomi Mataafa
18th May, 2021
Samoa’s supreme court overrules attempt by head of state to void April election results, paving way for the opposition to form a government. Fiame Naomi Mataafa is poised to become Samoa’s first female prime minister, after the Pacific nation’s top court helped break a month-long political impasse that followed a tightly contested election in April....