Fewer than 8 per cent of Pacific politicians are women, but more women are now putting their hands up

Like many women, Ruth Cross Kwansing spent a lot of time talking herself out of politics before eventually running in the Kiribati elections. She is now Minister for Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs. “It really is a better conversation when we have more balance in the voices available in developing solutions,” Ms Cross Kwansing says.  While the number of female politicians in the Pacific is still as low as just 8 per cent, there are more women putting their hands up to run.  The Autonomous Region of Bougainville saw a record number of women contest the 2025 elections, thanks in part to training run by Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency.  In the lead up to the election, the organisation ran training sessions to women in Bougainville who were interested in running for politics.  In this episode, Sistas Let’s Talk speaks to agency co-founder Helen Hakena, along with Ms Cross Kwansing.