Two women were elected during local government elections for District and Town Officer positions last Wednesday 29 June.

Sisifa Fili became the first ever female District Officer of ‘Eua Motu’a District.

Vika Kaufusi  was elected as Town Officer for Haveluloto.

Four other women came in second place allowing them to be deputized and available for the positions of Acting District Officer (Hihifo District, Vava’u) and Town Officer (Ha’alalo, Ha’atafu, Tongatapu and Matamaka, Tongatapu).

The elections saw 18 women stand as candidates, 11 in Tongatapu, five in Vava’u, one in Ha’apai and one in ‘Eua.

The success of these women stemmed from various workshops, training and meeting sessions held with women earlier this year encouraging them to stand as candidates in their local districts. These were organised by the Women’s Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and key stakeholders of civil society under the International Women’s Day National Planning Committee.