2027 PNG General Election: Focus on women candidates
The 2027 Papua New Guinea National General Election is just nine months away. Political parties and candidates are already positioning themselves for the maximum possible seats in the country’s 12th Parliament.
But perhaps it is the performance of women candidates that will be watched more closley like never before. This is because only 10 women have been elected to PNG’s Parliament since Independence despite the ever-increasing number of women candidates contesting every subsequent election.
The Spotlight article titled “Prospects for Women Candidates in the Upcoming 2027 National General Election” by Joseph Kaile, released today, sheds light on the history, challenges, and future outlook for women candidates in PNG’s electoral landscape.
The paper notes that long-standing structural and cultural barriers have contributed to limiting women’s participation and success. But the Government has also been actively addressing election-related challenges, including funding issues and improving the electoral process, to ensure a free, fair, and safe election for all voters and candidates.
The performance of women candidates, both during the campaign period and the number of seats they might win in the 2027 national general election, will be a key indicator of progress toward increasing gender equality in the country’s political sphere.
The Publication and Media Release can be accessed on the PNGNRI website https://www.pngnri.org.
Authorised for release by:
Dr. Osborne Sanida
Director, PNGNRI
