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.
Solomon Islands women encouraged to take up politics
02nd July, 2018
A practice parliament workshop was held in Solomon Islands on 11 – 15 June 2018 in an effort to encourage more women to participate in politics. The United Nations Development Programme says the percentage of women in Pacific parliaments currently hovers around 7 per cent and it is hoping the sessions will encourage those thinking...
MP Lanelle Tanangada secures historic by-election win in Solomon Islands
25th May, 2018
Lanelle Tanangada has secured an historic by-election victory in Solomon Islands, becoming the first ever woman MP for Western province and defeating a former prime minister in the process. Mrs Tanangada polled more than 50 percent in the Gizo Kolombangara constituency beating runner up candidate and former prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo by more than...
Vanuatu: Enact 50% quota for Women in Parliament
22nd May, 2018
Women leaders from throughout Vanuatu have petitioned the Government of Vanuatu to enact a 50% quota for women’s equal representation in Parliament. The petition was handed to the Acting Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Nirua, at Saralana Park yesterday, during the official segment of the celebration by Acting President of the Vanuatu National Council of Women (VNCW), Mrs....
Cook Islands: Election candidate numbers increase by six
09th May, 2018
The number of candidates contesting the General Election in June 2018, has increased by six over the number who vied for seats in the 2014 elections. This represents a rise of just over 10 per cent. In the June 14 polls, 58 candidates from the governing Cook Islands Party (CIP), Democratic Party, One Cook Islands (OCI), Independent,...
Cook Islands: Rose Brown to stand as Independent candidate for Atiu in 2018 elections
01st May, 2018
Cook Islands Party MP Rose Brown has announced that she will be standing as an independent candidate for the Atiu electorate of Teenui-Mapumai. Brown, who was elected as the CIP candidate for Teenui-Mapumai in 2014 and later became the Cook Islands’ first female opposition leader in 2016 before returning to her party in 2017, says...
Fiji: Call for equality
11th April, 2018
By Vilimaina Naqelevuki. WOMEN need an equal seat not only in Parliament but also in local governments, including town municipal councils as well as district and provincial councils. These were the sentiments shared by the executive di rector of femLINKPacific Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls as the country prepares for the 2018 General Election. Ms Bhagwan-Rolls said including...
Fiji: Sabha supports women in politics
11th April, 2018
By Vishaal Kumar. WOMEN should be given equal opportunity as men in politics so they have a say and are able to make decisions which will affect not only them but also the entire country. These were the sentiments shared by the national president of Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji, Sarju Prasad, on the...
Woman of many talents – Seini Nabou
04th April, 2018
SEINI Nabou is a woman of many talents and after joining the National Federation Party (NFP) four years ago in 2014, Seini has gained the trust of the party hierarchy and has been entrusted major responsibilities. She is not only a provisional candidate for NFP for this year’s general election but is also the vice...
Cook Islands Women Parliamentarians Caucus to Boost Equal Representation
03rd April, 2018
Avarua, Cook Islands – With the establishment of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus, Cook Islands aims to further advance the effective participation of women at the highest decision-making body: the legislature.Cook Islands Women Parliamentarians Caucus to Boost Equal Representation of women at the highest decision-making body: the legislature. Appropriately launched on International Women’s Day, Thursday 8...
Need for visionary leadership in Fiji
02nd April, 2018
By Litia Cava. VETERAN politician Adi Sivia Qoro believes there is a need for visionary leadership in Fiji. Adi Sivia had contested the 2014 election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but this year she will be contesting the polls on a Unity Fiji party ticket. As the president of the party, Adi Sivia said there...
Tonga behind the international benchmark
28th March, 2018
Tonga is sitting well behind the international benchmark that the country has agreed to for women’s representation in parliament. Today is International Women’s Day and the director of Tonga’s Women and Children Crisis Centre said it is a good time to take stock of the fact that less than seven percent of MP’s are women....
Bill asks FSM to consider new non-voting seats for women in Congress
28th March, 2018
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Congress has introduced a bill (CB 20-116) that guarantees representation of women in the FSM Congress. If passed it would mean another referendum vote to change the Constitution to redefine FSM Congress. The bill is currently being shopped around by the Congress Standing Committee on Justice and Governmental Operations...