The region's low figures for women in parliament have received a boost after the election of eight women MPs in Fiji.
Women will make up 16 percent of the country's parliament after last week's election, the first for eight years.
Sharon Bhagwan Rolls of Femlink Pacific says there are women on both sides of the house.
"It's a 45 percent increase from 2006 and we're actually now surpassing the regional average of 13.4 percent."
Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls Photo: RNZI Sally Round
Sharon Bhagwan Rolls says all the women elected bring varied leadership skills and perspectives to parliament.
The ruling FijiFirst party is represented by five women including Jiko Luveni who was the Minister of Women in the previous government.
The largest opposition party Sodelpa has two women MPs, including its leader Ro Teimumu Kepa.
The National Federation Party's Tupou Draunidalo is the only woman member among that party's three MPs.
