A practice parliament has been held in Solomon Islands in an effort to encourage more women to participate in politics.
Fifty women from eight provinces gathered in Honiara for the sessions organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) last week.
There are currently only two women sitting in the 50 seat Solomons parliament and the UNDP says the percentage of women in Pacific parliaments currently hovers at about seven.
The exercise was aimed at women considering standing for general or local elections, community leaders and those committed to improving gender equality.
Senoveva Mauli. Photo: Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership
One of the women attending the workshop was the chief executive of the Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership, Senoveva Mauli
Ms Mauli said the pacticipants learned a lot about the political process.
"It is more giving them a practice of what it is to be like in the House, working on legislation, deciding on the laws," Ms Mauli said.
"It's giving them a feel and more so understanding the Solomon governance system... functions of the Parliament. So that was the main objective of the meeting."
Ms Mauli said she had yet to decide if she would stand in next years' general election.
