Fiji has many strong, articulate and politically active women. However, even up to 2006, women’s representation had been lagging, with only 8 women elected in a House of Representatives of 71 MPs. It is clear from our history that cultural, social, economic and political factors have often stood in the way of women’s political empowerment. Democracy is founded on the principles of equality, including equality between men and women, and of representation of the people by the people. Since men and women each represent approximately 50% of the population, it follows that a functioning representative democracy would more or less reflect these proportions6. With this in mind, women in Fiji are calling for the introduction of temporary special measures to promote women’s participation in future Parliaments of Fiji.