THE high presence of women in leadership roles, irrespective of other results is a stepping stone towards reduced gender inequality.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa while officiating at the National Forum on Women in Politics at the Novotel Convention Center yesterday.
“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. We in the Pacific have in no doubt come a long way in terms of women in politics. Fourteen of us (female/elected leaders) are presently, holding senior political leadership positions: President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Leader of the Opposition, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Minister or Assistant Minister,” Minister Vuniwaqa said.
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.
