A prominent woman politician in Vanuatu, Hilda Lini, says the failure to women to get elected in October's polls is a critical national issue.
Ms Lini says the Government should treat it as a priority to work with the present Women's Working Group ahead of the next general elections in 2016.
Miss Lini says voters have to understand that unlike the taboo surrounding nakamals in Vanuatu, which are reserved for custom chiefs, the National Parliament is a democratic institution for both men and women.
Ms Lini, who was one of the 17 unsuccessful candidates in the October election, is now a political adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Kalfau Moli.