Pacific women parliamentarians have been equipped with new knowledge about being a woman in Parliament at a forum in Samoa.
The regional forum was aimed at empowering women to become members of their island or country's parliament.
Helping women develop financial stability to ending violence against women were all a part of the discussions.
One issue that was highlighted at the forum is the women’s lack of motivation to participate in parliament.
Vaaiga Tukuitoga has been a Member of Parliament for her country Niue since 1999 and has been advocating issues on behalf of women since then.
Her advice to women is simple, "you have to have courage to know that when there is something that needs to be done, you must be there to make a difference when you’re needed."
"You have to walk the talk, speak up and run for office. Women are just the same as men in every aspect, especially in parliament," she said.
The MP for Niue, who was born in Samoa, says she admires Samoa’s push for 10% women representation in Parliament.
"That ten percent is so important and a very big initiative by Samoa, but there can be more and there should be more," she said.
It seems getting into parliament is one thing, but being able to handle what happens in parliament is another.
"Women just have to be strong, be tough, when men get loud and strong, you just wait and listen, and when they finish, you get up and speak with what you feel," she added.
"It’s not about arguing. It’s about speaking your point and in parliament you have to respect the house of parliament," she said.
The forum ended today after three long days of discussions and learning and women in the Pacific have seen Samoa's very own Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa as a pillar for the standard women should be.