The Ministry of Fisheries has completed Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) training from 22-24 August, at the Tanoa Hotel, Nuku’alofa, aimed for officers to apply principles of gender equity and social inclusion in coastal fisheries management.

The Pacific Community (SPC), through the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP), hosted the programme, which was funded by the European Union and the government of Sweden.

Deputy CEO for Corporate Services of the Ministry of Fisheries, Ms Elaine Havealeta, said Gender and Social Inclusion principles will allow Tonga to progress on its commitments related to poverty reduction and to close inequality gaps and create an inclusive society where all Tongans, no matter their gender or their social status, can use their full potential to benefit from marine resources equitably.

“Coastal fisheries and aquaculture are the lifelines for many Tongans who rely on marine resources to put food on the tables, to generate income, or to keep alive our traditional cultural heritage as people of the ocean.

“The Ministry of Fisheries is proud of its Special Management Area (SMA) programme that enables communities to be drivers of change in managing their resources. However, we need to better understand constraints and barriers that may leave behind certain groups in the community when it comes to decision-making, management activities and fisheries development services,” she said.