Three former Parliamentarians are calling on women to collaborate to increase women’s participation in parliament.

The women who were also unsuccessful candidates in the September General Election made the comment at the Fiji Women’s Forum post election debrief this week.

Fiji Labour Party member Monica Raghwan encouraged women to be vocal.

“If you’re really serious about your political career, don’t give up, learn from what happened and educate yourself in the different areas.”

Former Assistant Minister for Fijian Affairs, Culture and Heritage in the Laisenia Qarase government and SODELPA member – Nanise Nagusuca says she’s found out that most women aren’t ready to join political parties due to family commitments.

Others are too scared to join.

Another SODELPA member, Losena Salabula says nothing should deter women from pursuing their political goal.

Salabula who contested the 2014 general election could not make it to parliament, but she says this is not the end of her political career.

“For the first couple of second i was very angry and then i thought to myself, maybe this is what god has for us so I have to accept it.”

Forty four female candidates contested the 2014 general election and secured fifteen percent of the total votes.