The findings of a recent survey on the impact of COVID-19 on hundreds of women in Tonga, conducted by the “Women and Children Crisis Centre”, are expected to be published at the end of the month.

Researchers from the WCCC talked to women’s groups throughout Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas.

WCCC Director, ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki said she was grateful to the regional German Embassy for funds, which allowed them to reach women in some of the most remote and rural areas of Tonga.

“We have ended up surveying over 460 women in Tongatapu, just over 400 women in Vava’u, 200 women in Ha’apai, 150 women in ‘Eua and 100 women in the two Niuas.”

‘Ofa said that while many women had been hard hit by the economic restrictions they lacked information about access to COVID-19 support and financial assistance.

One woman from Ha’apai who was interviewed said “I am so happy that you are asking us these questions because we have never been asked about these things and it makes us so sad to hear about opportunities that could have helped us but because we live so far away we are always forgotten about.

“...we have been hit hard by COVID-19 because our livelihood depends on these mats we weave and what we get from the ocean to sell but the restrictions have made things really hard.”

A woman from ‘Eua told researchers that her husband was in lockdown overseas, saying “it’s hard on our relationship, he hardly has worked and so the money has stopped and I am struggling.”

“I went to ask about the financial support and they said the money was finished so I caught the boat back but I heard later that the money had already been allocated to women who were already doing well with their businesses, but I don’t know, that’s just what I heard,” said a woman from Vava’u.

The report on the survey will include other concerns as well as recommendations from the women.

'Ofa said the survey had given the women's centre a lot of things to think about.