24 Sep 2014

Money the challenge for women in Solomons poll

12:33 pm on 24 September 2014

An academic says a lack of money, not culture, is the biggest challenge for women candidates in Solomon Islands intending to contest this year's elections.

In the 36 years since independence Solomon Islands has had only two women MPs.

An Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka says culture has always been seen as the major barrier for aspiring female politicians.

However, he says perceptions are changing and the biggest challenge for any candidate today is financial.

The Solomon Islands flag

The Solomon Islands flag Photo: RNZI

"I mean if it takes a million dollars to campaign that eliminates a lot of us, me included, we can't afford that and a lot of women can't afford that. And so it is cultural but it is also practical things in the campaign process."

Tarcisius Tara