By Katalina Siasau

Several motions proposed by women and presented to the Tonga Legislative Assembly were met with resistance and disparaging questioning from the House, during its final sitting for the year.

The Speaker Lord Fakafanua expressed deep disappointment over the "degrading and mocking terms towards women," in the House on 18 September.

The motions, written by participants of the Practice Parliament for Women 2025, were presented for the House to recognize, and for the government's table to consider.

The Practice Parliament for Women 2025, an initiative by the Legislative Assembly aimed at empowering women's voices in Tonga's legislature, saw 30 women from across Tonga engage in official debates last week. The women adopted seven motions, including one that called for introducing temporary special measures (TSM) seats for women in Parliament.

Entrenched attitudes

But when the women's motions were presented to the Legislative Assembly, the responses revealed entrenched attitudes toward women, held by members of a parliament that is mostly comprised of men.

Speaking to the TSM Motion, Vava'u Noble’s Representative No. 2 and Chair of the Committee of the Whole House, Lord Tu’ilakepa, noted that there was an "increasing presence of women in Parliament."

He questioned the Speaker, whether men would also have an opportunity to bring proposals and told the Speaker to consider a "Parliament for men."

He went on to express concern that such initiatives might lead to "the other class" (referring to the gay community) also wanting their own Parliament.

“I fear the other class might attempt to do their own Parliament,” he said.

He also made comments about women's roles, saying women were now taking over CEO positions. 

“I hope my wife will not participate in this but stays in her place as a woman,” Lord Tu'ilakepa said.

Empowering women's voices

The Speaker told the House that the Women's Practice Parliament was meant to empower women's voices in Parliament.

“Since our democratic reform in 2010, we have been talking about democracy. Democracy is including every Tongan to the structure of government, man or woman, 21 and older.”

He pointed out that, despite Queen Salote granting women the freedom to participate in elections, only about five women had ever been elected to Parliament.

He expressed deep disappointment.

Addressing the house, he said, “I am very disappointed on the use of degrading and mocking terms directed towards women, to undermine the respect that Tongans give to women, because you disagree or look down on their worthiness to enter Parliament.”

At the same time, he also expressed disappointment towards the Practice Parliament for Women that they seemed to undermine one of the only female-led ministries. One of their Motions called for a review of the Ministry of Health's performance

Woman minister

The Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola, one of only three women members in parliament, questioned the basis of the motion to establish an independent committee to review her Ministry's performance. She expressed concern about the Health Ministry's reputation, especially regarding social media discussions on the death toll in Tonga.

“In 2013-14 there were 800 to 900 deaths a year. In 2023-2024, there were just over 600 deaths, which is why I questioned if the motion was implying that the death toll is high. That is not true!” she said.

The seven motions also included restructuring schools by returning forms 1–2 to middle schools and reinstating the Class 6 National Exam, among other proposals

Lack of youth representation in parliament

Lord Fakafanua noted the lack of youth representation in parliament, despite youth making up over half the population.

Lord Fakafanua, who entered Parliament at 24 years and is still the youngest member at 40 years, questioned the future generation's presence in Parliament, fearing they would seek opportunities abroad.

“Where will the next generation be if we do not empower and support them. They will all be gone fruit picking and migrate overseas rather than staying here to work to build up the country, not only in the government but also especially in Parliament — and every Tongan has a right to be in Parliament.”

Motions recognized

The People's Representative for Tongatapu 3, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni (Hu’akavameiliku), said that the proposals needed proper discussion.

He raised concerns about potentially using Parliament's platform for political moves and whether the motions should be referred to the privilege committee to assess.

The Speaker disagreed that the context of the women's proposals needed to be discussed by the members. “I thought this would be one of the easiest agendas," he said.

Ultimately, the House voted to recognize the motions, with 20 members voting in favour.

The Speaker closed the session and announced that the King would officially close the 2021-2025 parliamentary term on 23 October, ahead of the General Election in November.