FIRST WOMAN MP SAYS CUSTOM HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE

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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE first woman Member of Parliament in Solomon Islands after the country gained Independence, Hilda Kari says custom has never been an issue when she was contesting as a candidate, 20 years ago.


Hilda Kari (Photo supplied)
 Mrs. Kari says money is the ruling factor now and women are finding it difficult to get into parliament without financial support.

She says in the 80’s, people were more open minded.

"Even in the 1980's when you expect culture to play a big role, when I stood as a candidate back then, it was not so much an issue. People looked at me as who I was. I didn't stand for any party because back then I didn't know party systems exist in Solomon Islands. It was only after I won that I joined the late Mamaloni's party, People's Alliance Party (PAP)".

Mrs. Kari says it is sad to note that nowadays, some people still think women are unfit to be Members of Parliament.

She says, women for a long time have been missing out on opportunities and much needed development in the community because they do not have a collective voice that represent them in parliament.

"There are certain circumstances that women face in society in terms of education, health, finances. Women still face these problems in our society which men do not really see but women are very good at facing it and getting on with life".

Mrs. Kari says the more developed Solomon Islands became the more issues women are faced with. 

Hilda Kari was Member of Parliament from 1988 until 2001.


ENDS///

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