Deepening Men’s Engagement with Supporting Women in Leadership Part 1: Men’s Supporting Roles in the Political Sphere

Abstract

In the last 20 years, gender and women’s leadership in particular has been a priority of international development in the Pacific region. This is an important agenda, particularly as women’s representation in Pacific parliaments continues to lag compared to other regions. While the primary focus is on improving women’s access to leadership positions and addressing patriarchal norms and structures, men’s involvement and participation is equally important, if not essential. This In Brief is the first in a two-part series drawing on findings from both authors’ doctoral fieldwork conducted in the Melanesian context between 2016 and 2019. These discussions aim to highlight the importance of men’s involvement in women’s leadership journeys and emancipation. This In Brief argues that men’s support is crucial in order for women to succeed in national politics, specifically men’s foundational role in the success of women’s political campaigns.