In this episode of Pacific Change Makers, dr JessicaCollins speaks to MP from Vanuatu Gloria Julia King – a mother of four and a former national soccer player who became the first woman to be elected to the Vanuatu Parliament in 14 years.
Ms King gives credit to the women who pioneered before her, but says more than four decades after independence, little has changed for women pursuing careers in national politics.
Speaking at a recent FIFA World Cup gender symposium hosted by Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Ms King said: “In the community, in education, in healthcare, in sport, in football… it doesn’t matter what association or institution you’re in.” are working, that’s the way it is.” It’s important that women have a place on the table where decisions are made.”
She also says that while there remain hurdles for women in politics, sport is a great equalizer, regardless of gender or ethnicity: “When it comes to football, when it comes to sport, all those hurdles dissolve .”
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Gloria Julia King was elected to the Vanuatu Parliament as a representative of the Efate constituency in 2022, becoming the first woman to be elected to the chamber in 14 years. A former soccer player and businesswoman, she was Chef de Mission for the Vanuatu team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
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