Tonga's women celebrate International Women's Day [1]
Thursday, March 8, 2007 - 16:09. Updated on Thursday, May 1, 2014 - 14:41.
Domestic violence is becoming increasingly common in Tonga, Tonga's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Hon. 'Alisi Taumoepeau, said today, stressing that a change of negative attitudes toward women is just as important as taking legal steps to protect women.
As keynote speaker for the Tonga celebration of International Women's Day, today, 'Alisi noted that violence affects the lives of millions of women worldwide, in all socio-economic and educational classes.
"It cuts across cultural and religious barriers, impeding the right of women to participate fully in society. Violence against women takes a dismaying variety of forms, from domestic abuse to rape. Domestic violence is becoming increasingly common in Tonga."
She said that in recent years urgent measures had been taken to curb violence against women. The Ministry of Police have a Domestic Violence Unit, which was established with the help of New Zealand Aid.
"This is an attempt to define domestic violence as a special category of crime as the law makes no such distinction.
"The government funds a halfway-house, which the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children operates, giving refuge to victims of domestic violence. Churches and other organizations have assisted victims of domestic violence. Others include the Salvation Army, Tonga Life Line, the Community Law Centre, Catholic Women's League and the Legal Literacy Project," she said.
'Alisi said that the Tonga Government supports the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, an attempt to ensure that women have access to equal opportunities as men in all areas of life, "and government is supportive of following through the processes for ratifying the Convention."
Although women make up 49.4 per cent of Tonga's total population they are still under represented in leadership roles.
"Changing people's negative attitudes towards women will take time. Raising awareness of violence against women, and educating all men to view women as valuable partners in life, and created by God as their helper in family and the development of society, is I believe an obligation for all of us. The change of attitude is just as important as taking legal steps to protect women. Please make every day an International Women's Day for the women in your life to ensure that the future for all women is bright, equal safe and rewarding," she said.
Celebration
HRH Princess Latufuipeka Halaevalu Mata'aho Tuku'aho was the guest of honour at the International Women's Day programme held at the Sofele Kakala Hall at 'Apifo'ou College, and presented the prizes for various competitions.
Secondary School Essay Competitions were conducted in two categories in the English and Tongan languages, and a Drama Competition coordinated by the Tonga National Youth Congress, on the theme. A Handicraft Exhibition and Flower Arrangement Competition was also part of the programme.
The winners of the essay competition on the IWD theme of "Ending Impunity on Violence Against Women and Girls" were David Hafoka, Tonga High School (English essay); and Mafi Fifita Tonga High school (Tongan essay).
The second prizes went to Sesimani Topui, Tonga High School (English essay); and 'Ofa Mausia and Isadora Mahuinga, Queen Salote College (Tongan essay).