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Ruta Babo-Nemta (third from left) is the first female representative for Maiana, and Deputy Speaker of Kiribati's Maneaba ni Maungatabu.
The island of Maiana in Kiribati is one rich with cultural history, home to the idols of the ancient gods of Kiribati, a place of spiritual importance for any I-Kiribati.
Sitting just 44 kilometres south of the capital island South Tarawa, Maiana is also home to the Deputy Speaker of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, Kiribati's national parliament – Ruta Babo-Nemta.
Ruta is making history of her own, as the first female representative for Maiana in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, having won her seat at the country’s most-recent election in 2024. And while her election to the corridors of power sees her following in the footsteps of her father, Kaure, who was first elected to represent the island in 2016, her path was one forged predominantly through the experience of her time spent as a civil servant.
“Life before politics was all about the nine to five, getting the kids ready for school and then getting to work. It was the stereotypical life of a civil servant, but one that provided me with an interest and passion in helping others,” she says.
At just 35 years old, Ruta Babo Nemta made history as the youngest member of Kiribati’s Maneaba ni Maungatabu when she was elected by her fellow MPs to the role of Deputy Speaker.
“It’s very humbling to know that you have that kind of power,” Ruta reflects, describing her first moments as Deputy Speaker. She acknowledges that her path to leadership was shaped by a deep commitment to helping others and the enduring influence of her parents.
Her journey is not just a story of individual success; it is a testament to the transformative power of young voices, intergenerational mentorship, and solidarity among women leaders in the Pacific.
She learnt the fundamentals of public service from her father, who used to compile lists of issues and pressing needs in each community he visited, so that he could follow up on them when he returned to Tarawa
“That was like pre-training for the real thing I’m going through now,” she recalls.
Ruta’s election as one of five women MPs in Kiribati acts as a reflection of a societal shift in a region that lingers at the bottom of global rankings of women’s representation in parliament. Like many communities across the Pacific, Ruta’s own society is attempting to balance traditional power structures with the need for a nation’s democracy to truly reflect the people it is there to serve.
Her youth and her gender are no barrier; they are her strength, bringing a fresh perspective to politics and decision making for the people of her home island, and beyond. She champions inclusivity, cultural preservation, and the empowerment of marginalised groups and wants her constituents to know that they have an MP who is on their side.
Ruta’s election as one of five women MPs in Kiribati acts as a reflection of a societal shift.
A key to her finding the confidence to run for office in 2024 was her participation in the Kiribati Women’s Practice Parliament, held in 2023 by the Maneaba ni Maungatabu with the support of UN Development Programme’s Parliament Portfolio. Through the generous support of the People of Japan and New Zealand, Ruta and fellow emerging women leaders gained hands-on experience with parliamentary processes, governance systems and the work of public campaigns. Ruta is also connected to fellow Women MPs through the Pacific Women in Power Network, a regional group supporting women in leadership.
This network connects women MPs across the Pacific, creating a space to share strategies, exchange experiences, and collectively address the region’s unique challenges in achieving gender equity in leadership.
Figures like Premila Kumar from Fiji and Tina Brown from the Cook Islands provided Ruta with practical advice and invaluable encouragement, with this regional network of women leaders reinforcing the truth that true representation is not just about increasing numbers but about creating ecosystems of support where women can thrive together.
On support provided by her now fellow MPs, she says:
“I look up to leaders like Premila Kumar and Tina Brown. They gave advice at the right time with the right authority.”
But her success has not come without sacrifice, with Ruta and her husband dedicating 18-months to the campaign period, something which took a significant toll on her family, and her personal savings.
“I had to take all the savings that I had. I felt bad for my children, and my family, but I wouldn’t be sitting here today as a Member of Parliament if I hadn’t made those sacrifices,” she stresses.
As the youngest MP, Ruta sees her role as a bridge between generations. She is determined to preserve Kiribati’s unique culture, advocating for policies that reflect the values of her community. She envisions initiatives to document traditional dances, oral histories, and rituals that form the bedrock of Kiribati’s identity. She hopes to see such efforts supported through dedicated policies that recognise and fund cultural initiatives at the national level.
“I would like to see the government invest in our culture more,” she says.
Her leadership combines respect for tradition with a vision for an inclusive future, making her a role model for young women across the Pacific.
Her advice to them is simple yet profound:
“Just go for it. You’ll be amazed at the support you will get when you actually do it.”
Ruta’s story is more than a personal triumph; it is a rallying cry for a new generation of women leaders ready to transform the Pacific political landscape.
For more information contact:
Nick Turner | Strategic Communications and Advocacy Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | nicholas.turner@undp.org
