The Pacific Island nations are still behind when it comes to women’s representation and participation in politics.

While officiating at the Women in Politics workshop in Lami yesterday, Minister for Women Mereseini Vuniwaqa says out of 559 MPs in the 15 countries there are only 41 women MPs in the Pacific.

Vuniwaqa says of the four countries in the world with no women MPs, three are in the Pacific.

“We still have a lot of overcome many voids to fill, much to change around social norms, gender biases and stereotypes to ensure women and men’s equal representation and participation in political space across the Pacific.”

Melanesian Spearhead Group Director General – Amena Yauvoli says there is a need for close collaboration.

“We must continue to keep the talanoa or dialogue going forward. We must continue to confront and provoke and action our aspiration by encouraging more women and young girls to engage in these spaces.”

Meanwhile, ten of the 24 percent of Fijian women who contested the 2018 General Elections won seats in parliament.

Three currently hold ministerial positions and two are assistant ministers.