Wave Makers : Women are changing the tide of political leadership across the Pacific.
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Wave Makers
Women are changing the tide of political leadership across the Pacific.
More women are entering politics, yet the Pacific still has the world’s lowest share of women in parliament.
More women. More voices. Better decisions.
Across the Pacific, women are leading communities, movements, public institutions and national conversations. More women are entering politics and challenging long-standing ideas about who can lead.
Yet the Pacific continues to have the world’s lowest share of women in parliament. Women remain significantly underrepresented in the institutions making decisions about our communities, economies and futures.
The Wave Makers Campaign, an initiative showcasing the impact of women's leadership while advocating for gender equality and political participation led by UN Women and supported by the Government of Sweden.
These interviews were collected during the WYDE | Women’s Leadership Regional Intergenerational Dialogue: Waves of Change – Pacific Women in Politics Across Generations, held from 30 September to 1 October 2025 in Nadi, Fiji.
The WYDE | Women’s Leadership Initiative is a global multi-partner effort to advance women’s full and effective political participation and representation in decision-making at all levels, particularly for those most often left behind. Funded by the European Union and led by UN Women, WYDE | Women’s Leadership leverages collective action, partnerships, and transformative social norms to create impact globally.
Leadership conversations from Fiji
Promotional Image for the Wave Makers TV Series
Through Wave Makers, a seven-episode television series brought Fiji’s national leaders, parliamentarians, traditional leaders, advocates and community leaders together for open conversations about women’s leadership and inclusive decision-making.
Across seven episodes, Wave Makers explores what helps women lead, what continues to hold them back and what governments, political institutions, communities and individuals can do to create meaningful change.
The series was broadcast nationally on Fiji One Television and Pasifika TV and is also available to watch on demand through Vodafone Play.
Explore the progress, barriers and possibilities
Women in Political Leadership in the Pacific
The Wave Makers infographic series traces women’s political participation and leadership across Pacific Island countries, recognising historic milestones while highlighting the gaps that remain.
Published in March 2026 as part of the Wave Makers initiative, the series was developed by UN Women with support from the Government of Sweden.
Regional women leaders’ playlist
Hear Pacific women leaders reflect on representation, political participation and creating space for future generations.
Pacific women leaders stories
The WYDE STORIES
Wave Makers on Vodafone Play
Watch the seven-part national conversation about women’s leadership and inclusive decision-making in Fiji.
