The Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, says he will dedicate himself to ensuring that there is a balance of gender.

Mr Nailatikau made the com­ment after being one of the key­note speakers at the Pacific Women in Power Forum at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau, Nadi yesterday.

The regional conference was at­tended by a number of women Members of Parliament from around the Pacific including wom­en MPs from Fiji.

“We had a distinguished woman as our former speaker and we have five women MPs on each side of the house,” Mr Nailatikau said.

“While this is an encouraging trend, I am the first to concede that we have a long way to go to achiev­ing true equality and I commit my­self to doing a lot more to achieve a balance as the months and years progress.”

He told the women MPs that they had a role to play in conversing about the challenges of climate change, resilience and the impera­tive of sustainable developments.

“We all have a role to play in mak­ing this happen, but surely having women such as yourselves in posi­tions of leadership is a very posi­tive start,” he said.

“I commend your leadership and I challenge you to be visible role models in order to galvanise the next generation of empowered women.

“Women are essential, crucial catalyst to sustainable develop­ments, so let us ensure their em­powerment so we can live in a more equal, sustainable and prosperous world.”

He said it was essential that the voices of Pacific women be heard, listened to and acted upon not only in the Pacific Islands, but all over the world. The forum ends today.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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