Amplifying Pacific Women’s and Gender Diverse Voices for Integrity and Accountability in Politics

Across our Pacific — from villages to national parliaments — women and gender diverse leaders already lead with courage and care. We guide our families, churches, schools, workplaces, and communities. Yet too often, our voices are missing in the places where laws are made and futures are shaped.

This series is about changing that. It’s about learning from those who have gone before, lifting up each other’s voices, and finding the courage to step into political spaces — from the village council to parliament.

Together, through two talanoa, we’ll share stories, wisdom, and practical steps for how Pacific women and gender diverse leaders can strengthen integrity, transparency, and accountability at every level.

🌺 Roundtable 1: Pacific Women ex-Parliamentarians – Lessons from the Inside

Date: Wednesday 8 October, 2025
Time: 11am-12.30pm Fiji Time/ 12pm-1.30pm NZ Time
Duration: 90 minutes

Hear directly from women who have or are parliamentarians across the Pacific — including Aotearoa New Zealand — as they reflect on their journeys of political leadership.

Joining us:

Anahila L. Kanongata'a, passionate leader and Former New Zealand MP
Tanya Waqanika, Fijian lawyer and former MP
Litiana Carlo Kalsrap, youngest woman to contest the 2020 Vanuatu general election

Facilitator: Susana Lei'ataua.

What to expect:

✅ Honest stories from the inside — the challenges, wins, and lessons learned.

✅ A panel conversation on barriers Pacific women and gender diverse leaders face.

✅ Real talk about lobbying, codes of conduct, and holding values in tough spaces.

✅ Practical guidance for those aspiring to political leadership.

✅ An open Q&A talanoa with women who’ve walked this path.

🌺 Roundtable 2: Raising the Bar – Civil Society’s Expectations for Political Integrity in the Pacific

Date: Wednesday 22 October, 2025
Time: 11am-12.30pm Fiji Time/ 12pm-1.30pm NZ Time
Duration: 90 minutes

Civil society is the backbone of accountability across our region. This talanoa is for Pacific women and gender diverse leaderse in communities and organisations to voice what we expect from parliamentarians.

Joining us:

Georgilla Worwor, Vanuatu youth advocate, social entrepreneur, and founder of Echo Vanuatu, a locally led consultancy amplifying citizen voices and championing inclusive, community-driven development
Ratu Eroni Ledua Dina, Fijian human rights advocate and community leader, known for championing LGBTQI+ rights, mental health, and inclusive leadership across the Pacific
Elizabeth Kite, Tongan youth advocate and founder of Take The Lead (TTL), Tonga’s first youth-led NGO empowering young people through civic education and leadership programmes

Facilitator: Susana Lei'ataua.

What to expect:

✅ Framing from Pacific civil society leaders.

✅ Small group talanoa to set priorities for political integrity and transparency.

✅ Shared commitments to hold our leaders accountable.

✅ Next steps for advocacy across the Pacific.

Why join?

Because Pacific women and gender diverse voices matter. Political spaces can feel intimidating or “not for us,” but they urgently need our wisdom and leadership.

By coming together across islands and generations, we can raise standards, support one another, and encourage more Pacific women and gender diverse leaders to step into decision-making roles.

This is not just about politics. It’s about safeguarding our communities, protecting our resources, and shaping a fairer future for the Pacific.

What happens next

From these talanoa we will create:

A written summary of insights and recommendations,
Infographics and short videos to share across the region,
Advocacy tools for civil society to hold leaders accountable.

Join us, bring your story, and let’s amplify Pacific women and gender diverse voices together.

Contact the host of Amplifying Pacific Women & Gender Diverse Voices in Politics