The UN Development Program (UNDP) says women's presence in parliaments in Pacific Island states is the lowest in the world, lagging even behind Arab countries.
A UNDP study just released says economic progress will be limited in the Asia and the Pacific without equal opportunity for men and women to influence political and economic decision-making.
Speaking from the launch of the report in Bangkok, Kim Henderson, the gender team leader for Asia and the Pacific told Pacific Beat that while it will take parliaments in Asia 50 years to achieve gender balance it may take much longer in the Pacific.
"If action isn't taken to address the current situation it could possibly take longer than that in the small Pacific nations." she said.
Read more at Radio Australia, published 21 September 2012.
The UN Development Program (UNDP) says women's presence in parliaments in Pacific Island states is the lowest in the world, lagging even behind Arab countries.
A UNDP study just released says economic progress will be limited in the Asia and the Pacific without equal opportunity for men and women to influence political and economic decision-making.
Speaking from the launch of the report in Bangkok, Kim Henderson, the gender team leader for Asia and the Pacific told Pacific Beat that while it will take parliaments in Asia 50 years to achieve gender balance it may take much longer in the Pacific.
"If action isn't taken to address the current situation it could possibly take longer than that in the small Pacific nations." she said.
Read more at Radio Australia, published 21 September 2012.