Excerpt and Photo: from undp.org
In the small island nation of Vanuatu, a recent election produced the most gender balanced governing body in the history of the country.
Voters in Vanuatu’s Sanma Province made history in November 2023 by electing the most diverse council ever seen in the country. With a record-breaking 29% of candidates being women, the polls delivered a near balanced result, with six female and seven male councilors winning seats.
This progress extends beyond gender representation. Patricia Rose Packete, who secured a Reserved Seat in the Western Ward, will not only represent women’s interests but also be a voice for people with disabilities.
The Municipalities (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2013 of Vanuatu was passed in 2014 and instituted the first rollout of Temporary Special Measures (TSMs), where each ward has one Reserved Seat for a woman in both municipalities of Vanuatu.