Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma,
71, has become the first woman to be appointed the
Governor-General of one of the world’s smallest
nations.
Tuvalu has had 10 substantive
governors-general – all of them men – since gaining
independence on 1 October 1978.
Hauma, who will be
King Charles III’s representative for Tuvalu, took the oath
of office and oath of allegiance in the capital Funafuti on
the eve of the country’s 48th Independence Day on
Wednesday.
“I look forward to leading the nation and
empowering our people, especially the women of Tuvalu,”
Hauma was quoted as saying Tuvalu Government Media
statement.
Hauma is from Vaitupu and Nanumaga and
brings more than three decades of experience in education,
including 12 years as a headmistress, the statement
read.
It said Hauma has served as president of the
Tuvalu National Council of Women since 2016 and contributed
to important national initiatives, including the review of
the Constitution and work towards establishing a Tuvaluan
dictionary.
Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo
described Hauma’s inauguration as a “historic moment for
Tuvalu”.
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