Amplifying Pacific Women & Gender Diverse Voices in Politics

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 former women parliamentarians across the Pacific — including Aotearoa New Zealand — as they reflect on their journeys of political leadership.

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.

What to expect:

✅ A keynote framing from a Pacific civil society leader.

✅ Small group talanoa to set priorities for 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.