Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, said women are significantly under-represented in decision-making positions in the Pacific.

“An average 2.5 per cent of members of parliaments in the Pacific region are women, compared with a world average of 17.7 per cent,” said Mr McMullan.

“In addition, of the 25 countries with the lowest percentage of women in parliament, 10 are in the Pacific region. This programme is an important step in addressing this significant challenge in the Pacific.”

The Australian Government will provide $6.2 million (US$5.9 million) for the women's leadership programme in the Pacific over five years in partnership with the UN Development Fund for Women, which seeks to achieve gender equality in developing countries.

“We will train women at a local level in governance and leadership issues, undertake research on the barriers and successful pathways to women's leadership and develop communication and training materials for use in the region,” said Mr McMullan.

The capacity of governments in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to develop their own programs and work with civil society organisations to undertake research and training will also be strengthened.

“'The partnership recognises the importance of gender equality to good development outcomes and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” said Mr McMullan.

The World Bank said there is strong evidence that gender equality and women's empowerment lead to the fulfilment of other Millennium Development Goals such as universal primary education, lower under-five mortality, improved maternal health, and lower likelihood of contracting HIV.

Improved gender equality reduces poverty and directly stimulates growth by helping more women become productive paid workers. It also has beneficial effects on child well-being.