2008-08-20 08:59:03 - In political arenas the demands can be brutal. Particularly if you are a woman when you are a woman on a tropical island, in Vanuatu in the South Pacific.

It is great to see Ms Hilary Clinton now backing Obama. A world away on a tropical island in Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, another woman faces unbelievable odds, Mrs. Jenny Ligo.

Jenny follows her famous auntie's footsteps having been granted a chiefly title by the head of the national Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Tahi. Jenny ceremoniously clubbed to death

eleven pigs, so she could enter the brutal field of politics.

This she also did at her wedding to Joe Ligo late last year. Jenny is the niece of political and women's rights' activist, Grace Molisa. Jenny's aunt was the first woman to hold the post of Private Secretary to the country's first Prime Minister, Father Walter Lini, when the nation gained Independence, 28 years ago.

Mrs. Ligo has returned to her home island of Ambae. It is only weeks to the general election. All should have been plain sailing for this courageous lady as she traveled around the island. Wrong!

Speaking on behalf of some of the chiefs of the Ambae, Chief Moli Tari says Jenny cannot contest the election in her home island, because of island custom principles. Principle which didn't surface at the pig killing ceremony a few months back. Perhaps ancient custom principles of the island change from day to day?

Jenny married on the island of Pentecost. The Chief says Jenny can only contest the Ambae constituency on the condition she performs a custom ceremony, presenting the chiefs with 10 tusked pigs.

Pig tusks are real currency. In Vanuatu you can't just buy 10 tusked pigs. They are the wealth of every village. A highly prized possession.

Pigs which are chosen to grow the coveted curled tusks have their top teeth knocked out. The bottom teeth then grow into the highly prized tusk. The pigs are hand fed for the remainder of their life. The pig is tethered in order to prevent the animal breaking or damaging the precious tusk.

Where does Mrs Ligo buy the 10 pigs she has to hand over to Chief Moli? Particularly as Chief Moli is a resident of the island of Santo. Will Jenny have to fly the pigs to Santo to present them to Chief Moli, or will Chief Moli take the trouble to go to Ambae?

Two more chiefs have now stepped into the political arena. Chief Benwel Garae of North Ambae and Chief Pascal Sese of Lolopuepue. They come from the chiefly rank of Mambuhangvulu, the second highest rank of the Ambae chiefly system. They told the Daily Post in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, that Chief Moli's claims have no substance and is childish.

Jenny would like to meet face to face with Chief Moli, but Chief Moli is not available. Jenny deserves to be congratulated as she runs with a great opportunity. You can do likewise with a Blue Moon Opportunity. It could change your life.