Results for CEDAW

The Tonga government's decision to ratify UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was welcomed by Tongan women's rights advocate 'Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki who was in New York for the announcement at the UN last night, where there were lots of accolades for Tonga.

Tonga’s discriminatory laws against women do not have to be changed before Tonga ratifies CEDAW - the international convention that is recognised globally as the most important human rights treaty for women. This week strong recommendations are being made to a parliamentary standing committee and then to Cabinet to sign the 33 year old convention, in what will be a landmark decision for Tonga’s international reputation and its women. by Mary Lyn Fonua.

A United Nations review conducted on the state of human rights in Tonga was completed on 25 January 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland, when Tonga's Minister for Internal Affairs, Lord Vaea was questioned over women’s rights, police violence, establishing a national human rights institution, the living conditions of persons with disabilities and the reasons for Tonga's failure to accede to numerous core international human rights instruments.

Guaranteeing equal rights for women in Tonga by endorsing CEDAW was not a commitment for four of the candidates running for election, who did not understand the Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Kataki pe matanga kau faka-tulou atu ki he'ene 'Afio mo Hou'eiki, kia Ha'a Matapule pea moe Tonga kotoa, kae 'ata keta po-talanoa 'i he loto fale ko 'Tau'ataina 'ia Totonu'. Me'apango pe koe 'ikai keu si'i malava 'o liliu faka-Pilitania 'eku fakakaukau ke a'u atu ki ha'a ako mo ha'a 'ilo, kae tuku pe mu'a keu feinga ki he lelei taha…. -Mohetau Kasitati

A city was burnt and lives lost to force a more democratic Tonga. But now the Demo-Movement leaders will not ratify the CEDAW.

Fakatulou atu ka e 'ataa ke u lulululu mo Sefesi Lutui (Fakama . . . 05 Nov 2009). Malo 'etau lava tangata. 'Oku ou fiefia 'i ho'o tali mai 'eku tohi. Faka'amu na'ake 'i heni kae palu hata kava. -Sione A. Mokofisi

Three Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, that have not yet ratified the United Nations CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women are being encouraged to better understand the treaty, so that they can access the resources and international assistance available to members.

Tonga has yet to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW), but a seminar this week helped to familiarize Tongan women with the convention.