Tonga's young people have spoken out passionately this week in support of the cause of ending violence and abuse against women and girls, and encouraging greater equity between women and men in their communities.

Students from Forms 5-7 representing a number of high schools and colleges in Tongatapu have written essays on the topic of "Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls", which is this year's theme for International Women's Day to be celebrated in Nuku'alofa on Thursday March 8. The winners of the essay competition will be announced on March 8 during the International Women's Day programme to be held at the Sofele Kakala Hall at 'Apifo'ou College, Ma'ufanga, from 9.30 am onwards.

Tu'ifua Tapakautolo, Deputy Director of Schools, a member of Tonga's IWD Planning Committee, said that entries for the essay competition were received from both boys and girls and they were of a high standard.

Co-ordinator of the IWD events in Tonga, Polotu Fakafanua Paunga, the Deputy Director of Women's Affairs and Culture, said she was very pleased with the entries received for this year's essay competition. "I was surprised at the extent of the students' knowledge of women's issues and the deep thought they had put into the subject. It was quite moving to read their essays."

The essayists courageously wrote about how they perceive the situation of women in Tonga today and they argue that there is an urgent need for equity between women and men. They noted how children in their communities become silent witnesses to violence, particularly domestic violence. Most of the essayists were concerned that the abuse of women too often goes unchallenged and they urged that the laws should be enforced to put an end to all forms of abuse of women and girls.

The following extracts are their important voices:

David Hafoka, Tonga High School - "My Mother cares but she cannot tell me so she shows it through her actions, setting her dreams aside to help me achieve mine. Making me her first priority. Telling me over and over that anything is possible if you believe, but I think that everything is possible if you believe and have a woman's love guiding you."

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Audry Lolohea, Queen Salote College - "With our culture, women as victims suffer in silence domestic violence. These cases are rarely reported to the police due to the fact that our culture stands as a stumbling block to forward these cases for justice. ...It is important that the public be aware of forms of violence. Authorities should be trained in legal provisions and the need for immediate response. ..and allow victims access to justice. There is a need for equity between women and men."

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Paul Latu, Ocean of Light International School, F5 - "In different types of cultures, such as Tonga, violence against women seems to be invisible and goes unchallenged - unchallenged as if it were a man's right to assault or abuse a woman in any type or manner. This is wrong."

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Luisa Taufatofua, Tonga High School, F7 - "Our men feel a need to protect us ...yet violence does not stop. Respect is so important in our society and I see a lot of it but it is starting to fade. People are losing their respect for women and what happens is men abusing women through raping, verbal abuse and hurting both physically and mentally. This seriously must be looked at and put to an end."

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Siulolo Tapueluelu, Ocean of Light International School, F5 - "In some countries like Tonga the law is not enforced. Most men, if not all, get away with abusing their wives at home. Sympathy fills the homes, but nothing is done. ...The law involving stopping violence against women should be heavily enforced. Violent traditions should be banned permanently."

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Sesimani Topui, Tonga High School, F6 - "Verbal abuse of women in Tonga is by far the most offensive form of violence I have come across ... insulting language in Tongan originates from the mockery of our sex to the very essence of being a woman. And it applies to any age old or young, married or single ... it demolishes our self esteem and our confidence."

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'Elisapeta Lemoto, Tonga High School, F5p - "Some men here in Tonga beat up their wives because they ask too many questions. Mostly about their work and why they are late at night. Some guys cheat on their wives but when the wives know about their affairs they get beaten up severely. But really women have the right to question and to know certain aspects about their husband's personal life."

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Godiva Taumoepeau, Tonga High School, F6 - "All around the world individuals mistreat their women. They are subject to all manners of abuse and violence and the cruel truth is the majority of these individuals get away with it. ...Punish these offenders in a more harsh and pitiless way."

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Paul Kim, Tonga High School, F6H - "If the government or state does not carry out proper processes of handling these issues and fails to recognise the problem, then the victims are still exposed for another attack by their predators. ...Ending impunity will not end violence against women, but it will still play a crucial role in reducing and lowering the violence rates."

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Leeza Ley Ann Holi, Queen Salote College, F64 - "In Tonga at the current moment Land rights are male specific. It does not allow women to have legal rights over her husband's land or property, just because she is a female. I think we should have legal rights to our husband's property. When you are married you unite as one."

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Jacqueline Niit, Ocean of Light International School, F5 - "Women in communities struggle to be heard because the voices of men push their ideas aside - this is very common in our country - the Kingdom of Tonga."

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Mele Tuna Tupou, Queen Salote College, F6A - "If the Tongan husbands mistreat their wives and women then the Tongan Islands reputation will be affected."

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Sosaia Fiefia, Liahona High School - "Our culture inhibits interference in domestic conflicts because we have been brought up with the idea that home is the father's domain. ...If we stand together and voice our disgust and contempt on how some men go unpunished because they are wealthy, have powerful social connections and because culture allows them their indulgence on violence against women, it is possible that we can bring justice ..."

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