A gender equality program run by Tonga Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili, is including theology in workshops to get their message across to communities.

Coordinator Betty Blake told Matangi Tonga this morning, that as Tonga is a very conservative Christian country, they are combing the learning “to make it more acceptable in Tongan society”.

“Because there is still a lot of denying and not really accepting that man and woman are equal.”

“So, we are looking into the bible, and to see what does the bible say about gender equality.”

Betty said there are few places in the bible that talk about man as being the head of the family “so it’s still that confusion”.

“In Genesis chapter one and two, it really explains it well.”

“When God created man and woman in his image, in his likeness, he gave them the authority to rule over the land. Both man and woman to rule over the land.”

The biblical part of the workshop is presented by Reverend Semisi Kava from the Wesleyan Church and Victoria Kava Folau, a theology lecturer from Sia’atoutai.

The workshop aims for participants to go back to their sectors to raise awareness to groups, communities and organisations.

The Tonga Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili have been trialing this combination in their workshops this year in Tongatapu, Vava‘u, and Ha‘apai, with plans for a workshop in ‘Eua soon.

According to Betty, the combination of theology and gender equality is working.

“It works. So far people accept it, they are happy we brought in the bible.”

The organization is currently running a workshop in Nuku'alofa this week, 17 - 21 August, which is funded by the Canada Fund. Around 15 participants were selected from different sectors of the community including town / district officers, women in agriculture, church, education and others.