The high presence of women in leadership roles, irrespective of other results is a stepping stone towards reduced gender inequality.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa made the remarks at the National Forum on Women in Politics.

Vuniwaqa said over the last two decades, the rate of women’s representation in national parliaments globally has increased from 11.8 percent to 23.8 percent.

As of June 2019, eleven women are serving as Head of State and twelve are serving as Head of Governments.

In the Pacific, she says we have no doubt come a long way in terms of women in politics.

As such, in the region, fourteen female elected leaders are present, holding senior political leadership positions.

These include a President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Leader of the Opposition, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Minister and Assistant Ministers.

The objective of the forum is to help educate the public on issues related to women in politics which will help in establishing openings for advocates in the future.