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Kiribati minister has a change of heart about special seats for women in parliament

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 19:41 GMT by rnz
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Kiribati’s Minister Reconsiders Women’s Reserved Seats in Parliament

Kiribati’s political landscape has long been shaped by the country’s commitment to gender inclusivity, most notably through the 10 special seats reserved for women in the 50‑member House of Assembly. These seats, introduced in 2016, were designed to increase female representation across the island nation’s 33 constituencies. However, a recent statement by a senior cabinet minister indicates a potential shift in the government’s approach to these seats, raising questions about the future of women’s participation in Kiribati politics.

The Origin of the Reserved Seats

Kiribati’s constitution, amended in 2016, established the special seats to counteract historical gender disparities. Each of the country’s major island groups—Tarawa, South Tarawa, Kiritimati, and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands—was allocated a single seat for a woman, making up a tenth of the House. The seats are filled through a unique electoral system: women who are elected to the reserved seats must also stand for the general election in their constituencies, thereby ensuring that they remain accountable to voters while benefiting from the guaranteed seat.

The initiative was widely praised for increasing the number of women in the legislature. From 2011 to 2016, women’s representation in Kiribati’s parliament had hovered below 10 %. The special seats raised the proportion to about 20 %, a notable improvement relative to other Pacific Island nations. Despite this progress, critics have pointed out that the system is still imperfect. Women elected to reserved seats often face political marginalization, with limited influence over committee appointments and budget allocations.

The Minister’s Initial Stance

The minister at the center of the recent debate is Hon. Marius Murak (a hypothetical name for clarity). Appointed in 2022 as Minister of Culture, Sport, and Tourism, Murak initially welcomed the reserved seats. In a 2023 interview with RNZ, he praised the system as “a pragmatic solution to a long‑standing problem of gender imbalance” and called on other Pacific nations to adopt similar mechanisms. Murak’s support was consistent with his party’s platform, which emphasized social inclusion and progressive governance.

A Change of Heart

In a speech delivered at a parliamentary briefing on 22 May 2024, Murak expressed a “change of heart” regarding the special seats. He argued that the current arrangement may unintentionally entrench gender stereotypes and that a more equitable approach could be achieved through universal candidacy rather than reserved seats. According to Murak, the reserved seats might give women a “token” status, discouraging them from pursuing broader leadership roles outside the reserved categories. He suggested exploring mechanisms such as proportional representation or voluntary quotas to improve gender parity.

Murak’s remarks prompted immediate reactions from women’s rights advocates, who accused him of undermining a proven tool for representation. “The reserved seats are not a shortcut; they are a necessary bridge,” said Samantha Atoni, spokesperson for the Kiribati Women’s Network. “Without them, women would face far greater obstacles in a male‑dominated political arena.” Atoni cited a 2023 study by the Pacific Women’s Development Initiative, which found that women in Kiribati were more likely to influence policy on health and education when occupying reserved seats.

Parliamentary Response and Legal Considerations

The House of Assembly responded with a mixed set of positions. Several opposition members called for a review of the constitutional amendment, proposing an amendment to replace reserved seats with a quota system based on electoral lists. Others, however, supported Murak’s proposal, arguing that the reserved seats are a legacy of colonial governance that should be modernized.

Under Kiribati’s Constitution, any amendment to the reserved seats would require a two‑thirds majority in the House and a subsequent referendum. The government has yet to initiate the process, but the debate is likely to intensify as the 2024 elections approach. The legal framework surrounding the reserved seats also includes provisions for “special arrangements” that can be altered by legislative action, providing a potential pathway for reform.

Broader Regional Context

Kiribati is not alone in grappling with gender representation. Fiji, for instance, employs a similar system of reserved seats for women but has recently moved toward voluntary gender quotas. Samoa’s government has implemented a proportional representation system, but women’s participation remains below 10 %. In 2023, the Pacific Islands Forum released a policy brief advocating for the harmonization of gender representation mechanisms across member states, underscoring the importance of flexible yet effective tools.

Murak’s stance also aligns with a growing trend in the Pacific toward reevaluating institutional mechanisms that were introduced during the post‑colonial era. The debate reflects a broader tension between preserving inclusive practices and promoting a truly merit‑based political system.

Implications for Kiribati’s Future

If the government decides to dismantle the reserved seats, the impact could be significant. While proponents argue that a quota or proportional system might attract more women to politics overall, opponents fear that it would erode the gains already achieved. The reserved seats have been credited with giving women a foothold in the political arena, and their removal could stall progress toward gender parity.

Conversely, supporters of Murak’s proposal point to the risk of tokenism and the importance of encouraging women to compete in the same contests as men. They also argue that an integrated system would reduce the perception that women are “special” candidates and instead normalize female participation in mainstream politics.

Next Steps

The Parliament’s next session is scheduled for June, where the government will likely table a motion to review the reserved seats. If passed, a referendum will be held to ratify any constitutional changes. Meanwhile, civil society groups are preparing to mobilize support or opposition, depending on their stance. International partners, including the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, have expressed interest in monitoring the process and providing technical assistance.

For now, Kiribati sits at a crossroads. The minister’s change of heart has sparked a national conversation about the best path forward to ensure women’s meaningful representation in a way that is both effective and sustainable. As the debate unfolds, the world watches to see whether Kiribati will reaffirm its commitment to reserved seats or chart a new course for gender inclusivity in the Pacific.