National Women MPs
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 |
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. | |||
Cook Islands - Current National Women MPs
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
Hon. Tetangi Matapo
Party: Democratic Party
Term: N/A
Electorate: Tamarua Constituency
Province: N/A
Political Status: Member of Parliament
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
Fiji - Current National Women MPs
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
Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua
Party: National Federation Party
Term: 2018-2022; 2022-current
Electorate: N/A
Province: N/A
Political Status: MP; Deputy Speaker
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.
Hon. Premila Kumar
Party: FijiFirst
Term: 2018-2022; 2022-current
Electorate: N/A
Province: N/A
Political Status: Member of Opposition
Hon. Rosy Sofia Akbar
Party: FijiFirst
Term: 2014-18; 2018-22; 2022-current
Electorate: Fiji
Province: N/A
Political Status: Previous Minister; current Opposition
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
FSM - Current National Women MPs
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
Senator Perpetua Sappa Konman
Party: N/A
Term: 2021-2023; 2023-current
Electorate: District 3 (Southern Namoneas)
Province: Chuuk State
Political Status: Senator
Kiribati - Current National Women MPs
Hon Taabeta Teakai
Party: Independent
Term: 2020 - ongoing
Electorate: South Tarawa
Province: N/A
Political Status: N/A
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
Hon Tessie Lambourne
Party: Independent
Term: 2020 - ongoing
Electorate: Abemama
Province: N/A
Political Status: N/A
Hon. Shiu Fung Jong
Party: Pillars of Truth
Term: 2016-2020; 2020 - ongoing
Electorate: South Tarawa
Province: N/A
Political Status: N/A
Marshall Islands - Current National Women MPs
Hon Dr. Hilda Heine
Party: Independent
Term: 2011-15, 2015-current
Electorate: Aur
Province: N/A
Political Status: Opposition Member
Nauru - Current National Women MPs
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
Hon. Isabelle Dageago
Party: Independent
Term: 2019 - 2022
Electorate: Yaren District
Province: N/A
Political Status: Minister for Health; and Home Affairs
Niue - Current National Women MPs
Hon. Joan Sisiati Tahafa Viliamu
Party: N/A
Term: 2
Electorate: Common roll (Open seat)
Province: N/A
Political Status: MP - Common Roll seat
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
Palau - Current National Women MPs
Delegate Victoria Ngiratkakl-Kanai
Party: N/A
Term: 2016-2020; 2020-current
Electorate: Airai State
Province: Airai State
Political Status: Delegate
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
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
Papua New Guinea - Current National Women MPs
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
Hon Kessy Sawang
Party: People First Party
Term: 2022-current
Electorate: Rai Coast Open
Province: Madang
Political Status: MP
PNG – Bougainville - Current National Women MPs
No Women MPs
Samoa - Current National 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
Hon Faagasealii Sapoa Feagiai
Party: HRPP
Term: 2021-current
Electorate: Elected through women's quota
Province: N/A
Political Status: Opposition Member
Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa
Party: F.A.S.T Party
Term: 1985 - current
Electorate: Lotofaga
Province: N/A
Political Status: Prime Minister
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
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
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
Solomon Islands - Current National Women MPs
Hon Ethel Lency Vokia
Party: Independent
Term: 2020 - ongoing
Electorate: North East Guadalcanal
Province: Guadalcanal
Political Status: Member of Parliament
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
Hon Lillian Maefai
Party: OUR Party
Term: 2019 - current
Electorate: East Makira
Province: Makira Province
Political Status: Member of Parliament
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
Tonga - Current National Women MPs
‘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
Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu
Party: N/A
Term: 2019 - 2021
Electorate: Appointed
Province: N/A
Political Status: Minister for Health
Hon. Losaline Ma’asi
Party: N/A
Term: 1: October 2017 - current
Electorate: Tongatapu 5
Province: N/A
Political Status: Member of Parliament
Tuvalu - Current National Women MPs
No Women MPs
Vanuatu - Current National Women MPs
Hon Julia King
Party: N/A
Term: 2022-current
Electorate: Mele
Province: Port Vila
Political Status: Current MP