The fight against gender inequalities and undemocratic societies in the world and in particular in Commonwealth countries could never be won unless hunger, homelessness, illiteracy, underdevelopment, repression and dictatorship are defeated, Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, the Chairperson for the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians said in Nuku'alofa today.

She was speaking at the opening of a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association workshop hosted by the Tonga Legislative Assembly, where the issues of Gender Equality and Democracy are on centre stage.

The two day workshop was officially opened this morning, September 13, by the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, the Hon. Veikune, at the Janful International Dateline Hotel.

The workshop has attracted Tongan scholars, and experts on the topics of Gender and Democracy from as far away, as the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and Fiji.

Local participants are mainly women from the Civil Service, and women's rights campaigners, including Betty Blake, Fuiva Kavaliku, Polotu Paunga and 'Ofa Guttenbeil Likiliki. The male attendants at the workshop are mainly members of parliament.

In his opening speech, Hon. Veikune expressed his sincere hope that parliamentarians will gain a greater understanding of the issues of Gender Equality and Democracy which are central issues, "affecting our people and would have developed, at least in our own mindset, ways and methods to tackle these issues in the House."

Democracy and good governance are featured strongly among the topics to be discussed during the workshop.

Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, the Chairperson for the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians who spoke during the opening ceremony said there can never be democracy and gender equality in the world without the involvement of state and people, and both men and women. "Hence the importance for Parliaments as powerful institutions to effect changes that will give rise to a better world," she said.

Lindiwe said that the fight against gender inequalities and undemocratic societies in the world and in particular in Commonwealth countries could never be won unless hunger, homelessness, illiteracy, underdevelopment, repression and dictatorship are defeated.

"There are three essential keys to a free society, Justice, Freedom and Solidarity. Solidarity is a two way street and it addresses the question of justice as well as the question of freedom for both old and young," she said..