“Politics is leadership and service at scale” says Hon. Ruth Cross Kwansing, Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs and Member of Parliament in Kiribati

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Honorable Ruth Cross Kwansing serves as the Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs and as Member of Parliament in Kiribati. She joined a two-day intergenerational dialogue “Waves of Change: Pacific Women Lead Across Generations in Fiji” aimed at advancing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making and transforming gender norms which took place on 30 September and 1 October 2025 in Nadi, Fiji.

1. What inspired you to dedicate your career to politics?

I had spent years working in the humanitarian and development space, leading community-based programmes, supporting resilience-building, and solving practical problems on the ground. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the challenges our people face every day.

But I reached a point where I felt I had done as much as I could at that level. I realized that to make lasting change, to move from band-aid solutions to addressing root causes and moving to sustainable solutions, I needed to be at the decision-making table.

The final encouragement came from my mother. Without knowing my hesitations as I had small children, she pulled me aside one evening and told me she believed I was meant to serve. That moment helped me see politics not just as a role, but as a calling and a way to serve my country at scale.

2. What helped you build the confidence to take that leap?

My confidence grew through both experience and exposure. Working across sectors built my leadership skills, but international programmes also shaped how I see my role.

I joined the East-West Center’s Changing Faces of Women’s Leadership programme, which focused on women’s entrepreneurship and leadership, and later became Kiribati’s first participant in the Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leaders Programme. These experiences showed me how women across the region were solving problems differently.

Recognition also matters. When I received the Order of Merit from the President for my humanitarian work, it reinforced that leadership is about results, not titles. Each of these experiences gave me courage to take my seat at the table.

3. What are some of the biggest barriers facing women leaders in Kiribati and across the Pacific?

One of the biggest barriers is mindset. Women are more and more respected for their contributions, in law, politics, and community leadership, but many still hesitate to step forward.

Part of this comes from the realities of balancing leadership and family. When I first considered running for office, I had a two-year-old son. For many women, motherhood and public service feel like competing priorities. I sometimes say that stepping into politics means that I’ve expanded my family from a few children to 130,000, the population of Kiribati.

But to manage my own family, I had to rely on other solutions, including other women who could help care for my children while I serve. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary. I had to create the systems around myself in order to be able to do what matters to me, as a woman in politics.

4. You’ve spoken passionately about temporary special measures (TSMs). How do you view their role today?

When I first ran for office, I entered politics and was elected after my campaign. I once believed that if women worked hard enough, they could always get there. But my experience since then has changed my perspective.

In recent years, I have personally encouraged several capable women to run for Parliament. I tell them, “You would be amazing, you have the skills and the experience.” Yet, time and again, they give me the same list of reasons why they can’t: family, finances, fear of failure.

This is why I now fully support temporary special measures. They are not about privilege, they are about social equity. We already know these women can lead. But many won’t come forward until we create space and give them that first opportunity. Once they are in, it is easier for them to choose to run again. That’s the real transformative power of TSMs.

5. How can intergenerational collaboration strengthen leadership in the Pacific?

True leadership requires all voices, elders, women, and youth, working together. In the Pacific, leadership has been shaped and dominated by traditional systems, often led by elders and older men.

Youth are already doing so much. I’ve seen young people leading climate action, food security, and digital innovation work across Kiribati. They combine traditional knowledge with new approaches. Their energy and creativity bring ideas to life in ways that older generations might not envision.

When women, elders, and youth work together, we create more comprehensive, relevant, and sustainable solutions. That’s why I believe leadership should be inclusive.

6. What advice would you share with young women aspiring to lead?

Leadership is a mindset before it is a role. Focus your attention on where you want to go, not on the obstacles. I once heard a diplomat say, “Where attention goes, energy flows.” That has stayed with me.

If you fix your eyes on the challenges, the “why nots” and the “what ifs”, that’s where your energy will stay. But if you focus on your purpose, your vision, and the change you want to create, your energy will flow there instead. And then break your goals into achievable steps. Stay true to your purpose, even when the path is hard. Leadership is about moving forward despite fear, with focus and faith.

The Convening took place under the WYDE | Women’s Leadership initiative, funded by the European Union, which is a collaborative global effort aimed at advancing women’s full and effective political participation and decision-making at all levels, especially those most often left furthest behind.

Note: These publications aim to stimulate a constructive debate on key issues of interest for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. The views expressed by the individuals interviewed for the production of our editorial content do not necessarily reflect the official position of UN Women, the United Nations system agencies or the European Union.