The declining number of women representatives in Parliament is a worrying trend, says Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
Six women were sworn in as parliamentarians on Saturday, four less than the 10 that were in Parliament in 2018.
Ratu Lalabalavu said while there was an increased number of new and young members, he noticed the deduction of the number of women representatives.
“I sincerely hope that this is an important challenge that we as decision makers and as a nation can collectively strive to rectify,” he said.
“But I must acknowledge the efforts of the six brave women who have successfully made it to a space that is always dominated by men.”
He also acknowledge the hard work of the women candidates “who had put up their hands to be candidates, but were unable to join their colleagues in Parliament”. “We must also pay our respect to those courageous women.
“While we could have done better, it is still truly a remarkable demonstration of confidence of our often conservative society, especially when it has women as serious decision makers and very important national leaders.”
Ratu Lalabalavu was elected Speaker of Parliament on Saturday by a secret ballot and received 28 votes over FijiFirst nominee and former Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who managed 27 votes.
