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I went into politics because I really
believe that I could make a difference for families
for the people of Palau.
I was not happy with what I was seeing in the last government.
So when the election took place in 2012--
we have four year terms-- I decided to run,
Because I really believe that I could
make a difference for the people of Palau
and do something good for families.
Some of the male senators thought
that I could contribute a lot to the country
and that if I join the politics, they'll
help me with the campaign and help me go into politics.
And they really challenged me to contribute
to the development of the country,
and that was the only way I can really do it,
so I think that's what attracted me to the politics.
Well, we've had a constitutional government for the past 30
years and, as you know, I want to call
it the old boy's network.
I think most of the decisions are
being done-- we don't have golf courses-- so it's
being done in the coffee shops.
So women, being the minority, I think
we do not get to be part of the decision-making process.
I think that's a big challenge for me, as one of woman
three women in the senate.
The biggest challenge for me is it's like a man's world.
It's a different kind of a game.
They've been in politics for a long time
and they really determine the rules of the game.
So, as a woman, I have to learn how to be a part of that
and be a part of the game and how
to win even though I'm so new to it
and sometimes I feel intimidated.
Palauan women are very strong women.
Palauan women in our culture appoint a chief of a clan,
so what we've been hearing from the men MP's, when last year
when we started this organisation called Women
Empowerment in Palau to get more women to stand for elections,
they're comments to me, simply, don't you already have enough
power under our traditional system?
Why do you want to be in politics?
And so my answer has always been it's
a democratic style of government.
It's a representation type of government.
So there are 50 percent or more women in Palau.
That should be reflected in the government,
in this democratic elected government.
In our society, women are very strong.
The women members of the clan appoint
who is going to be the chief.
The women support the chief and people
who are leaders in our community,
but our role is to appoint.
We never stand up and say I'm going
to be going into the leadership position.
But I think the most important thing for me is the networking.
It's sitting down with women, it's
seeing that I'm not struggling in this alone.
It was very hard for me.
I've been in office for a one year now.
The first year was very challenging.
And it was so-- I was relieved to discover that they were also
going through the same type of sacrifices.
Times away from families.
That, for me, was very important,
the face-to-face networking discussions.
Highlight for me, so far, is to see
a very different political process taking
place, that is the Question Time.
I saw the minister and the government answer to the people
directly.
I mean, they were not prepared.
They have to be really what they are and who they are.
And I can really see that honesty coming out of them.
So that was very good.
But I saw a lot of women MP's as well, who are doing well.
They've learned to deal with the men's world,
and they're very strong, and very articulate.
So I've learned a lot from the women MP's and everybody
we met.
Minister Bishop was very supportive of our trip
here, of the work in the Pacific area.
It was a wonderful meeting.
She asked us what she could do to help us along.
And we're hoping that she'll be able to attend the Pacific
Islands Forum in Palau, which is happening in July of this year.
So we're hoping to see her.
Yes, I did.
I met her.
She's a very strong woman and I really admire her.
And she seems committed to the Pacific
and wanted to continue the exchange we have so
that we can learn something from her.
I also got a chance to be with Senator Urquhart in Tasmania.
I went to her electorate office.
I saw some things that she's doing.
So I can see that there are very busy, not only during sitting,
but even when they're not sitting,
they're out there in their communities,
supporting communities.
A chance to talk with Doctor Stone,
to talk about her community and the problems
that they're facing.
So, yes, it's been an eye opener for women
MP's here in Australia.
Well what I learned from the women
MP's here is when you break new grounds,
you have to be exceptional.
You have to work really hard.
So I think we got elected because we worked hard,
and two of us, Senator Senior and I, are well-educated women.
We work hard.
We've done something in the community
to make people trust that there's something
we can contribute, and that's why they voted for us.