Today, we have the only female MP in the 14th Legislature currently led by Prime Minister Jotham Napat. Welcome to the podcast, MP for Port Vila.

MLM: Thank you.

NM: Firstly, thank you again for answering our call. Today we will mostly be talking about your profile, when you started your political career, and what it is like being the only female MP in this government.

So MP, when did you start your political career?

MLM: Thank you. As you rightly stated, I am the only female MP in this Legislature. My political journey actually started before I entered Parliament.

It began when I joined the Vanuatu Green Confederation, a political movement led by my husband, Moana Carcasses Kalosil, who is the president of the party.

For many years, I observed my husband during his time as an MP. I learned a lot from him over the last six years. I followed him through his political journey as he became an MP, held several ministerial portfolios, and later became Prime Minister.

I attended important debates and meetings with him, followed him to Council of Ministers meetings, and travelled with him around Vanuatu and overseas. At one point, we travelled to the United States, which gave me both national and international exposure.

But my real political career started in 2018 when I decided I no longer wanted to remain an observer. I wanted to engage directly in politics so I could become a voice for the people, especially women, in municipal government.

I contested the 2018 municipal elections in the Freshwota, Tasiriki, and Stade Ward areas. During that time, I learned a lot about local government and decision-making.

I contested again in 2022 and successfully retained my seat representing the Freshwota, Tasiriki, and Stade Ward areas. That experience strengthened my political journey and confirmed to me that I should continue because my people trusted me.

Then came the snap election on 6 January 2025. I contested the national election for the Port Vila Constituency and won a seat in Parliament. Today, I am proud to be the only woman MP in the 14th Legislature.

It is true that there is only one woman, but at least we have a mama’s voice in Parliament.

NM: Speaking about votes, we understand that around 60 per cent of your voters were male. When you are in Parliament, do you represent mainly the women’s voice or the men who voted for you?

MLM: Thank you. The fact that I am a woman means I represent every woman in Vanuatu. But when you become an MP, you do not just represent your constituency — you become an MP for the Republic of Vanuatu.

As you said, before becoming an MP, you must first be elected by the people. In my case, about 60 per cent of my voters were men. It was not only women who voted for me.

That is what we want, because sometimes it can even be difficult for women to vote for women, especially when some follow the wishes of their partners.

Over the next four years in Parliament, I want to show that women have the capacity, confidence, and skills to lead communities.

Leadership is not something that happens overnight. It is a journey. Leadership is not about titles or positions. It is about presence and accessibility — sitting with your people, talking story with them, and listening to them.

It did not take one day for me to become who I am today. It took decades.

My support comes from community chiefs, church leaders, women leaders, people living with disabilities, and many ordinary people. It is a mixture of voters.

As I said earlier, when you become an MP, you are not only representing your constituency; you represent Vanuatu. And yes, I am proud to represent women, young people, and all citizens.

NM: As we all know, you are the only female MP in Parliament. How does it feel working in a place dominated by men? Do you sometimes feel left out during discussions or decision-making?

MLM: Yes, of course. Women face many barriers.

For example, after winning the election, I asked for a ministerial portfolio as the only female MP in this 14th Legislature. I was elected with support from both men and women, yet I sit alongside 51 male colleagues.

Sometimes we ask ourselves, where is the value placed on women in this place?

I requested a portfolio, but unfortunately the answer never came through. Women often have to speak three times before they are heard.

Even today, I am not part of any parliamentary committee. I represent Vanuatu in La Francophonie, but when it comes to committees that examine bills and important parliamentary matters, I am not included.

I believe part of the reason is because I am a woman. As I said, women often have to speak three times before they are heard.

This journey is not easy. But it is not only my story — it is the story of every woman across Vanuatu. It is the story of all women who work hard every day to create a better future for our nation and for our children.

The battle is not easy, but we are moving forward slowly. And I am proud that there is at least one woman in Parliament who can raise the concerns of women and all people. Everyone must be included.

NM: I remember when you were still in municipal government, I contacted you a few times for stories about the work you were doing in your ward. Now that you are an MP, what have you done for your people?

MLM: Thank you. Today I am the MP for Port Vila, which consists of five wards — Southern Ward, Central Ward, Anamburu Ward, Freshwota Ward, and Northern Ward.

These are the wards that helped elect me into Parliament.

Since I was elected on 16 January and became part of the government coalition in February 2025, we have seen roads being upgraded. Some of these improvements came through concerns I continuously raised in Parliament and within the coalition government.

The role of government is to ensure services reach the people. The work being carried out involves roads, communities, schools, and other development priorities discussed in the Council of Ministers.

We have a Minister of Public Works responsible for roads. Unfortunately, I am not the Minister of Public Works — in fact, I do not hold any ministerial portfolio at all. But we continue to push strongly and negotiate for better roads and better services.

In education, we continue to raise concerns as well. As backbench MPs, our role is often to speak strongly and advocate on behalf of our people.

As far as I am concerned, through the five million vatu allocation available to MPs, and with assistance from Australian Aid, we were able to help build a green market house at Freswota 4.

We also assisted with some road repairs, although it was not enough. We have supported market projects focused on helping women vendors and also provided assistance to schools.

NM: What is your message to all women and mothers across Vanuatu?

MLM: To all women, daughters, girls, and mothers across the nation, my perspective is that women in politics are like a sleeping giant.

This generation is counting on us women to step forward and help this nation make the right decisions because women represent 50 per cent of the population of Vanuatu.

It is very important for this sleeping giant to wake up and help build a better future for our children and our nation.

As I said, this journey is not my story alone. It is the journey of all women working hard in communities, women leaders doing their best to serve, and women working toward a better future for this country.

And I also want to add this — if I can do it, then you can do it too.

I want more women to come and join me in the next election because we need more women in Parliament.

If women can make things work at home, if women are the backbone of the home, then women can also help lead the nation.

NM: And that’s it for this week’s episode of Kava Mo Kajap. Thank you, MP Marie Louise, for coming on the program and sharing your story with us.

And thank you as well to all our viewers for tuning in. We’ll see you again next time.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST