By Katalina Siasau
The only woman elected in Tonga’s General Election, last week, Fane Fotu Fituafe (43), would like to see more women’s representation in Tonga’s parliament and in government leadership positions.
“I truly feel that our government needs women leadership. In parliament, we need women to be there to give that woman’s perspective on national issues,” she said today.
The mother of five, comes to Parliament with significant leadership experience, including her recent role as the manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ Pacific Church schools, overseeing vocational education across 16 schools.
A newcomer to national politics, Fane won the Tongatapu 6 constituency on 20 November with 978 votes (37.36%), surpassing the incumbant Dulcie Tei (835 votes, 31.81%) who was the only elected female MP in the previous election.
This year there were only nine women candidates among the 71 candidates for Tonga's 2025 General Election.
Fane will take her seat in the Legislative Assembly alongside 25 male members.
Speaking with Matangi Tonga Online on 25 November, Fane called for greater women's representation in parliament, emphasizing that women are prepared and qualified for leadership roles.
“I'm truly grateful for the opportunity that I have to represent my constituency and to be the only woman is a privilege. It shows that women can become leaders in the country,” she said.
“We have potential and great women can run for office. ...There should be more than one woman in parliament.”
Tongatapu 6
Fane is the second woman elected from Tongatapu 6, and is the eighth woman elected to Tonga's Legislative Assembly, since women were granted the right to vote in 1951.
She said Dulcie Tei had paved the way for her to come in and run for parliament.
Tongatapu 6 constituency has produced some very successful women. Loupua Pahulu-Kul, from Houma, was the first woman and the youngest to become Chief Magistrate in Tonga. She said some women in their constituency are principals of schools, like Liahona High School, and these women set examples for other women in Tongatapu 6 to follow.
"Women's success in our constituency is not something new. That has helped to remind us that women can lead, women can lead at home, lead in the workplace, women can lead in the school.”
This was her third campaign for Parliament, and she encouraged other women to step forward.
“It is about time that we let women lead... bring their skills, experience, and expertise to help the men that are in parliament. What I envisioned is that we want more women to raise their hand and put up their hand and run for parliament.”
Education, youth, agriculture, women
Fane advocates for improved education and vocational training, youth development, agriculture, and women's empowerment.
Fane hails from Houma, Tongatapu, and Ta’anea and Holeva, Vava’u. She was born in Vava’u and raised in Ta’anea. She attended Vava’u High School for six years, and then completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at ‘Atenisi University from 1999 to 2002. She began teaching at Liahona High School in 2003, serving for 12 years. She served as Vice Principal for four years and then as Principal of Liahona Middle School for five years, concluding last year.
In November 2024, she transitioned to a new role as the TVET (Technical Vocational Educational Training) Manager for the Pacific church schools, a position she held for one year before running for Parliament.
Fane is married to Lutui Fituafe, from Matuku and Lofanga, Ha’apai. They have five children: two girls and three boys.
