Dr. Perpetua Konman wins a Chuuk special election, becoming the first woman elected to Congress.

What happened

Konman, a medical doctor, ran for the Southern Namoneas seat after her husband, Senator Derensio Konman, died in September 2021, at his supporters’ request. Before running she sought the approval of local legislators, municipal officers and traditional leaders. She said, “It is crucial that the voice of women is heard at the top.”

Why it matters

Until her election, the FSM was the only Pacific country that had never elected a woman to its national parliament.