Lone female minister Lynda Tabuya says she is “ashamed” she is the only female in Cabinet and is calling for gender equality in all institutions, including the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC).
“In any setting, we would like to see that there is gender equality,” the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation said.
“We need to try to achieve gender equality representation. “Having said that, Parliament and the Cabinet are the first place right now where there is no gender equality.
“I am the only woman Cabinet minister and I am very ashamed to say so. I wish there were more women in Cabinet and I hope this is something that is looked, and something I am pushing for.”
Ms Tabuya said identifying more female chiefs was one way to increase female representation in the GCC.
“So this has translated into the leadership of women in the GCC.
“There is Na Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa and three other women in the Great Council of Chiefs.
“But I will leave it to the Great Council of Chiefs to decide how they handle the issue of gender equality,” Ms Tabuya said.
“As you know, the representatives are chosen by the villagers, so it’s something for respect in terms of the autonomy of the GCC.
“However, I wish to encourage them as Minister for Women and I have expressed my thoughts on it.
“So as my sentiments about the idea if they could search for more women chiefs to be involved and to be represented in the Great Council of Chiefs.”
