Kiribati’s Minister for Women, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has shifted her stance on women’s political representation, advocating for special parliamentary seats designated for women. Since entering politics last year, Kwansing initially believed women should earn their seats based solely on merit. However, she recently acknowledged that systemic barriers prevent fair participation for women and emphasized the urgent need for more women in decision-making roles.
“I’ve come to realize I was way off the mark on that,” Cross Kwansing said in an interview. Growing up in Australia provided her with opportunities not available to many women in Kiribati and the larger Pacific region, underscoring her understanding of the challenges faced by women who lack similar privileges. She stressed that without equitable representation in politics, developmental constraints would persist, leading to impoverishment.
During her recent attendance at the United Nations General Assembly and UN Women’s Conference, Cross Kwansing experienced what she described as a “light bulb moment.” Referring to the lack of female leadership in the region—particularly following former Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa’s election loss—she remarked, “It is a shame for the Pacific region.” She suggested that temporary special measures be implemented to achieve at least 30% female representation, ultimately aiming for 50%.
In her role as Women’s Minister, Cross Kwansing is also focusing on economic empowerment to combat gender-based violence in Kiribati. She plans to introduce a crisis payment system aimed at encouraging women to leave abusive situations. “The hope would be to encourage women to reach out for help earlier,” she explained. This system would provide financial incentive to support women who are considering leaving abusive relationships.
Cross Kwansing also recognizes the importance of education and qualifications for women. She aims to provide business training and micro-loans to empower women, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, to help them gain independence and improve their livelihoods. “If you’re relying on your husband or your partner for your livelihood… we know that women will sacrifice and struggle,” she said, highlighting the dire situations many women face.
Moreover, she pointed out the impact of external factors, such as the Trump administration’s decision to freeze funding for Pacific aid and development programs, as detrimental to progress in women’s issues within her country. “We’re constrained with our resources… this directly impacts the work being done by the ministries,” she stated.
Cross Kwansing also described the importance of ongoing discussions related to gender equality and social inclusion within the Pacific Islands Forum’s agenda, stating that these conversations must reach the highest levels to effect true change. In Kiribati, rates of domestic violence remain alarmingly high, with statistics indicating that around 68-70% of women experience some form of violence, a situation requiring urgent and sustained attention.
Through her leadership and commitment to facilitating change, Ruth Cross Kwansing advocates for a future where women’s voices are not only heard but valued as integral to societal progress. With the collective efforts of leaders within and beyond Kiribati, there is hope for a more equitable future where women have the opportunity to thrive in all aspects of life.