Women Are Significantly Under-Represented in Pacific Politics. But They’re Pushing for Change
This article was originally published in ABC News by Marian Faa
Gloria Julia King is the only female member of Vanuatu’s parliament.
Before she was elected last year, there hadn’t been a female MP in Vanuatu for 15 years.
“It was very hard to make the decision to go into parliament because ni-Vanuatu people — in their mind, in their upbringing, in their surroundings — the leadership has always been the men,” she told the ABC’s The Pacific program.
Despite already being a well-known community leader and businessperson, getting elected was not easy.
“Going into this, I was aware of what I was up against,” Ms King said.
“It’s a man’s world … even being there, I can almost feel that this is not my place.”