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

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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