Pacific Women Seek More Leadership Roles

Women leaders in the Pacific are seeking leadership roles and equal representation in their Parliaments. The Pacific Women in Power Forum met in Fiji this week and agreed that there is a dire need for training on economic empowerment, integrity and leadership for women in the region,

Fiji President Jioji Konrote acknowledged that under-representation of women at any level of governance and decision-making can result in a democratic deficit. Konrote said it has been proven time and again that diverse groups make better decisions. “This is particularly true when it comes to the task as challenging as representing the views and interests of citizens in any country.”

The Forum heard that resources have been dedicated to programmes aimed at increasing women’s political leadership and participation but progress has been slow. “For the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), it has been non-existent or even declined as in the case of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.”

The Samoan Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said while the Pacific had a long way to go, there were options for the parliaments to consider to bring about a change. “A challenge for us here in the Pacific is that we are not sure how the process for Temporary Special Measures (TSM) would be implemented.” She said Samoa is the only country in the Pacific which has adopted the TSMs that guarantees a minimum of 10 per cent of MPs are women. TSMs aim to increase the number of women elected to parliaments through the electoral gender quotas. Fiame said it has presented a model that can easily be replicated if other countries wish to do so.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Fiji speaker said Pacific women have always been extremely influential behind the scenes. “But now all over the region, they are finding a new and very clear voice in public life and we must do everything possible to make that voice heard, listened to and acted upon not only regionally but internationally.”