Rose Pihei

Pihei (second from left) with the Australian High Commissioner and other Bougainville MPs

Rose Pihei is a politician in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. She was a member of the Bougainville House of Representatives from 2010 to 2015, representing the South Bougainville (Women's) constituency.[1][2]

Prior to entering politics, Pihei had been a secretary in the provincial government, operated a printing and secretarial business, and served as a community worker in her Konnou area of Buin district. She was a founding member of the Bougainville Women's Federation and had been president for its South Bougainville sub-region. She was first elected to the House of Representatives at the June 2010 election, defeating Laura Ampa.[3][4][5][1]

Following the 2010 election, President John Momis initially appointed Joan Jerome to the women's reserved position in the ministry; however, she failed to get support from the three-member women's caucus, which endorsed Pihei.[6] Pihei was then appointed Minister for Community, Women and Youth in June 2010.[7] In October 2012, she was shifted to Minister for Culture and Tourism in a reshuffle following the death of minister Joseph Egilio.[8] In September 2014, she was shifted to Minister for Health.[9] As Minister for Health, she raised concern about the mental health consequences of the war and the need to provide services.[10] She recontested her seat at the 2015 election, but was defeated.[2]

After her defeat, Pihei remained in public life as President of the Bougainville Women's Forum.[11] She unsuccessfully contested the 2017 national election for the Social Democratic Party.[12]

References

1. "Papua New Guinea". Pacific Women in Politics. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
2. "More winners as counting continues". PNG Post-Courier. 3 June 2015.
3. "Group urges greater gun control action in Bougainville". Radio Australia. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
4. "Pihei applaud BWF". PNG Post-Courier. 2 October 2012.
5. ""POLITICS IS A LONELY WALK" – REFLECTING ON PEACE, SECURITY AND EQUALITY WITH THE WOMEN OF BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN'S FEDERATION". International Women's Development Agency. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
6. "Political Parties and Democracy in Theoretical and Practical Perspectives" (PDF). National Democratic Institute. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
7. "Bougainville ministerial appointments reflect need for South and Central representation". Radio New Zealand News International. 24 June 2010.
8. "ABG Cabinet reshuffle". Pacific Islands News Association. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
9. "Ministry reshuffle to see more services". PNG Post-Courier. 11 September 2014.
10. "Victims of Bougainville crisis still need help". Radio New Zealand News International. 8 October 2014.
11. "Temporary Special Measures to Increase Women's Political Participation in the Pacific: Case Studies of Implementation in the Region" (PDF). United Nations Development Program. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
12. "Twelve nominate to challenge sitting member". New Dawn FM 89.9. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.