Tongan women who want to participate in the national decision making process and are determined to take their rightful place in national politics, have made their views known on International Women's Day (March 8) in Nuku'alofa, at the Langa Fonua centre.

Women's candidates for the coming March 17 parliamentary election prayed and spoke on a local theme: "Empowering of Tongan Women through Increased Participation in Decision Making that Adheres to Principles of Good Governance".

The three Tongatapu women candidates Ms. 'Alisi Pone Fotu, Mrs Fuiva Kavaliku, and Ms. Sela Lopa Kaisinga, and another three women's candidates Ms 'Oketi Lotulelei 'Akau'ola for the Niuas, Vusenga Helu for Vava'u, and Langilangi Vimahi for Ha'apai are featured on a new Tongan Womens' Candidates Poster "Tonga Fili ke Pau!" that was launched at the event by Princess Siu'ilikutapu Kalanivalu-Fotofili.

Other guests of honour included Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho, Princess Nanasipau'u Tukuaho, the Chinese Ambassador and the High Commissioners of Australia and the United Kingdom.

Gender policy not implemented

Fuiva Kavaliku, a Tongatapu candidate, in giving a historial perspective to the theme, said that historically, women had been part of the decision-making process in Tonga.

"But today it seems that the development contribution by women is appreciated more by agencies of overseas governments and organisations who have assisted us in training and workshops," she said.

Fuiva pointed out that although in the early 1990s the women's unit had been established as part of the Prime Minister's Office, and that the government links with Non-Government Organisations had been strengthened, much more needed to be done.

While the United Nations Development Programme had consulted with government and NGOs with the result that a national gender and development policy had been endorsed by government. "But it has not been implemented," said Fuiva. "It has been left to float with the wind and the tide."

"Why is it that we wait for patrons from abroad to push our government to give us the right to participate in the decision-making process in Tonga?" she asked.

Although Tupou I had given that right, she believed women had yet to share that right with men.

"We believe we can work together in partnership and complement each others' efforts," said Fuiva.

International theme

The international theme for International women's Day was "Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future"

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Mr Colin Hill, in a keynote address, said that Australia places high importance on gender equality and had contributed $90,000 in funds from the Human Rights Small Grants scheme in support of the theme.

"We are happy to contribute to the campaigns of women," he said in noting, "the determined effort by six women to secure a place for women on the national political stage."



Mr Hill pointed out that Australia itself had still further to go with only 25% total representation of women in the National Parliament.

"We agree that greater gender equality at all levels will build a more secure future for all," he said.