comments from opening

Comments from opening of PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENTS

Nga Teao: Open prayer: We the people of the Cook Islands are very thankful for your mercy and your kindness that you have brought our brothers and sisters from around the region and commit this conference into your hands.

Hon. Mau Munukoa, Minister of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands: I am sad to say that the women’s representation in the Cook Islands has been far and few between and it is the same around the world. To quote from the bible, the size of women in parliament might be small like mustard seeds but I am sure that with faith in God we will move mountains.

Mrs Francesca Semoso, Deputy Speaker, Member of Parliament, Bougainville: I may be a new member but not going to give the men a chance!

Hon: Vaine Wichman, Member of Parliament, Opposition: I am your member because most of you are staying in my constituency!

Senator Hon. Litia Cakobau: To improve our status of women not only in parliament but also other areas.

Maire Bopp Dupont, standing in for minister from French Polynesia: One of the women who is an inspiration for women standing up is Beatrice Vernaudon. She has participated in a process that most women have not in that now Tahiti has 50% representation but that was basically given to us and that we did not have to fight for (like she did).

Kiribati: Member of Parliament Mrs Beta Tewareka Tentoa: I am one of two members of Parliament who are MPs. The more we do this kind of thing the more we will achieve.

Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Customs & Youth Affairs , Associate Minister for the Environment & Local Government, Aotearoa, New Zealand:  Five women in cabinet one of which is myself. Sincere hope to see increase in women parliament especially Maori and Pacific Islands women.

Hon Dame Carol, Minister for Community Development, Papua New Guinea: I am minister of Community Affairs - representing a range of important concerns.

Hon. Lepolo Taunisila, Member of Parliament: only one women MP, the fourth since 1951. My first attempt was in a by election and the main reason I decided to go into politics was that I was really annoyed at the attitude of male parliamentarians. I used to be a teacher and decided that enough is enough there needs to be a women in parliament and that even though the majority of women don’t believe there should be women in parliament there should be women included to make decisions for women.

Hon Isabelle Donald, State Minister, Ministry of CRP & Women’s Affairs: I got into parliament in 2002. We had snap election in 2004 and got in second time. Here minister for women. 52 members of parliament and only two. Only woman minister in cabinet with 13 ministers. You can imagine that at this meeting I am here to learn from the experiences of every one of us.

Carol Flore-Smereczniak, Pacific Regional Millennium Development Goals Specialist: I hope to get a clearer idea of the inequalities facing women because only when we have a clearer idea can we then do something about them.

Minister Teina Bishop, Cook Islands: I’m overwhelmed by the force of all the women here from around the Pacific.

Secretary Internal Affairs Rairi Rairi: I am only here for the morning tea and the cocktails afterwards. I am also a keen supporter for women in politics have already campaigned for two to get into parliament and a staunch supporter of Aunty Mau.