Editor,

THE shameful evidence of "crimes against women and children" produced by the Tonga Police Department (TPD) mirror cultural injustices (Domestic violence . . . 17 May 2010).

In the span of 10 years: 23 women per month reported "physical or sexual violence;" 2,753 women were victims of physical abuse, which brought 1304 (47%) convictions; increased from 113 reports in 2000, to 404 in 2009; resulting in four women killed or murdered in 2009.

Ironically, we pride ourselves in "respecting the status of women in society," declared PM Dr. Sevele. He presided over a Parliament of male dominance who voted 22-1 in 2009 to reject the United Nations CEDAW treaty to protect women and children's rights.

Police Statistics Clear

The Parliamentarians' action reflected Tongan men's attitude towards women: "a bastion of male chauvinism." The law discriminates against women, Christian belief praises men to rule over women, and our culture plays lip service to injustices against women in our society.

I have seen men beat their wives, and nobody in the village lifted a finger to help the women. It must be her fault to deserve punishment, they said.

TPD Commander Chris Kelley was being modest in his assessment of the violence committed by men against their own families. He correctly wondered aloud about the "unreported figure and %." But for the good Commander's information, he only needs to ask the Government Department of Statistics . . .

Statisticians will confirm there's no need to study the total population. A random sample of respondents to research questions produce correct scientific conclusions of the entire population. He's got all the data he needs to analyze.

Where Are the Church Leaders?

A group of stakeholders missing from the Commander's equation are the church leaders. Aren't the abused women and children flocks crying out to their shepherds for help? Four innocent women are crying from their graves. How did it get so bad in a country of 98% Christian faithfuls?

Didn't the Lord say: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?" (Luke 15:3).

Please pray for the victims; their plight is lost in our male-dominated culture. Men rule at home, in the gardens, in Parliament, in Governents, at sea, and are said to rule in Heaven, too. When will Tonga recognizes that women are second-class citizens here on earth among us?

Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi
samokofisi [at] email [dot] phoenix [dot] edu ( samokofisi [at] email [dot] phoenix [dot] edu)