21 May 2016

Vanuatu plans reserved seats for women in Parliament

10:21 am on 21 May 2016
A statue at the entrance to Vanuatu's parliament in the capital, Port Vila.

A statue at the entrance to Vanuatu's parliament in the capital, Port Vila. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana

Vanuatu's Justice Minister says the Council of Ministers has approved a constitutional amendment to allow for reserved seats for women in Parliament.

Ronald Warsal says he expects a bill to amend the constitution to be ready for an upcoming sitting of Parliament, which is scheduled to begin on the June 10.

The Daily Post reports he made the announcement at a screening of the film, The Suffragettes, which recounts the story of British women's struggle to get the vote in the 20th century.

Questions concerning the number of seats to be reserved, whether they will be added to the existing number or taken from the current ones, and whether women will share existing constituencies are yet to be answered.

No women were elected to Parliament in January's election.