Hon. Frederica Tuita, launches an awareness brochure for IWD. Nuku'alofa 8 March 2013.

Raise the awareness of our community on domestic violence which is happening in Tonga and use the media as a vehicle to tell the real stories of women and break the silence that allows violence, urged Hon Frederica Tuita to a national event to mark the International Women's Day 2013 in Nuku'alofa, on March 8.

A keynote speaker on a local theme, " Real Stories, Real women - Breaking the Silence that allows Violence"  the guest of honour said that domestic violence is one of the major issues women struggle with in Tonga.

She said in 2009 four women died in their homes as a result of domestic violence. "Domestic violence is real and it happens in our community," she said.

The theme chosen by the International Women's Day National Planning Committee, is aimed at raising community awareness ahead of a proposed change through the Family Protection Bill and to inform the public and the community of the real situation of domestic violence in Tonga, she said.

The activities to mark the International Women's day included the development of Information and Awareness Brochures which Hon. Frederica launched at the event. She said the brochure informs women where to go for help when confronted with domestic violence and contains statements from real life experiences and lists all service providers.

To carry the theme forward, a Mediaand  Advocates Workshop will be held in April. "In the end I hope that you would use the media as a vehicle to tell the real stories of real women, thus breaking the silence that allows violence against women," she said.

"Tonga joins millions of women around the world to celebrate the economic, social, cultural and political achievements of women. It is a time to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who played extraordinary roles in the history of women's rights."

Government

Lopeti Senituli, the CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said there were two major initiatives the Women's Affairs is currently focusing on.

He said they are working on submitting to Cabinet the reasons why Tonga should ratify the United Nations CEDAW.

"We are at a stage where the Solicitor General has identified seven of the clauses in CEDAW with which the present government has reservations on," he said.

Also of special priority is the Family Protection Bill which is going to be submitted to parliament in the June session. Prior to that, a special session will be held for members of parliament especially People's Representatives to take them through the bill. "We hope it goes through the parliamentary process before the end of December this year, he said.

"Raising awareness in our community to the issues of domestic violence in Tonga is a major concern to the government and country. Today we celebrate the strives made to advance women's rights," he said.

Leaders of frontline service providers, including 'Ilaisaane Hala'api'api of the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children, Lesia Lokotui Toia of the Women and Children's Crisis Centre, and Betty Blake of  the Ma'a Fafine Centre, with Corp Hinemoa  'Aho from the Domestic Violence Unit of the Ministry of Police and Fusi Kaho from the Ministry of Health, spoke at the event.

The Australian High Commission was a major sponsor of today's event held at Davina House. Other sponsors included  Fund Management Ltd, 'Uta'atu and Associates, Davina's, Langafonua a Fafine, Vava'u Press Ltd. - Matangi Tonga Online, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Police, and the Ministry of Justice, tonga Development Bank, and WISE Tonga Inc.

Guests included members of the diplomatic corps, the frontline service agencies, and women from all walks of life in Tonga.