This paper discusses impediments to female candiate success in national elections in Solomon Islands. Surprisingly, the foremost of these does not appear to be strong voter preferences for male candidates. The data shows that they are: women are held to different standards of behaviour in Solomon Islands society and this is used by opponents; lack of money to spend on election campaigning; partriatchal local-level leadership makes it harder for women candidates to gain support from strong brokers (influential local figures).