Women candidates’ participation in png 2017 nat.elections Reflections Survey

Survey purpose First time in 25 years ( since 1992 election) – no female elected to parliament in 2017 election Identify key challenges female candidates face during election period ( campaigning/voting ) Recommendations on collective actions from different partners to ensure equal participation /representation of women in parliament

Q1: Some Women candidates did well in 2017 elections Q1: Some Women candidates did well in 2017 elections. What factors contributed to their good performance?

Other factors –good performance Access to Money & other resources to campign widely Had longer presence in the electorate Community contributions / Social development Community perception ‘men are corrupt’-maybe women will be different (sympathy vote) Previous election experience

Q2.what are the key challenges women candidates faced in the 2017 elections?

Other comments : key challenges Patriarchal structures – discriminates s women’s participation in public arena (political space) Failure of women leaders to advocate for women issues /Poor performance of female MPs Voting blood lines /cultural ties as opposed to leadership qualities Party endorsement did not come with financial support

Q3.what can govt,parliament /electoral bodies do to improve women’s participation in elections? Voters awareness across all levels of society ( mostly rural) Establish women's quota /Revisit women’s reserved seats Use best practices around the world to improve women's participation Support women's leadership programmes Introduce electronic voting system Review election process to make it fair /safe for women

Q4.what can non government bodies do to improve women candidate participation? Media to take an active role in promoting women candidates Raise awareness on importance of women’s participation in parliament Advocacy/awareness to change mindset and attitudes towards women (Gender stereotypes) Leadership Trainings & Women’s empowerment programs Lobby to government for women's reserved seats Use role models (males) to advocate on women’s leadership/political participation

Q5.what can un /devt partners do to improve women candidates participation in election? Trainings /Awareness/Capacity development – Leadership , Gender , political process ,learning exchange Technical support to Political parties to support women Engage men to support the call for equal representation Assist to push for women's quota or reserved seats Support EC to update common role Identify potential women candidates and start empowering them

Q6. what are the best way forward in improving number of women in parliament? Promote women in leadership roles across all sectors /levels of communities Introduce Women's Quota system Revisit Reserve 22 Seats for Women (TSM) Country wide Gender Equality awareness to change voters mindset One political party for women Early campaigning with support from all partners Review current electrol & voting system

summary Good reputation/community standing & networks seen as important factors to succeed in election Cultural views /stereotypes about women's place in the society seen as a major challenge /barrier to having confidence in women's leadership abilities Over 80% of the respondents proposed introduction of women’s quota system and reserved seats (TSM) as key actions government should take Media to be proactive and play a n active role in the promotion of women’s participation in parliament and other decision making processes Civil society to lobby and advocate for women candidates Development partners/UN to build capacity of women leaders in PNG