By Katalina Siasau
Women from across Tonga have endorsed the Tonga Women’s Platform for Action 2026 to 2029, a national roadmap aimed at advancing women’s leadership, rights, and opportunities over the next three years.
The platform was endorsed today, 10 July 2026, at the conclusion of the National Women’s Fono, where participants pledged to champion its priorities through community action, policy advocacy, and national decision making.
The roadmap outlines priorities to strengthen women’s leadership, participation, safety, wellbeing, economic empowerment, and equal opportunities across the Kingdom. It also envisions the National Women’s Fono becoming a permanent, nationally led movement held every three years to promote ongoing dialogue, accountability, and action.
Land issue
Lesila Lokotui of the Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) said increasing women’s representation in Parliament and improving women’s access to land emerged as key priorities during the discussions.
“Women’s access to land, including the ability to register land in their own name, was a major priority because currently women can only lease land,” she said.
Parliament
Lesila also said there is a call of action for more women in Parliament. In the November 2025 election, only one woman was elected to Parliament.
“We are calling on the government to work closely with us. We believe improving the lives of women and young women will contribute to a more peaceful, prosperous, and developed Tonga,” she said.
