Results for People

A second Human Rights Movement for Tonga was formed in May. The new Kotoa Movement has made a public statement that it was not established to be in opposition to the exisiting Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES: There was no looking back for Betty Blake after she accepted a challenge to help the women and children in Tonga who were being treated badly. Betty, who has been working extensively with women in the villages throughout Tonga since 1996, is sure that the first step for women to gain equality is for women to know their rights. “About 95% of the women who filled the questionnaire did not know their rights. They assumed that once they were married their husband owned everything they had, and therefore they had to be obedient, they believed ‘it is alright if he beats me because I am his wife’.” Most of the women she was dealing with had been conditioned to think this way and it was very difficult for them to break out of it. Interview from Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 15, no. 4, January 2001.

While there were apparently equal job opportunities for women in Tonga, women still remained under-represented at the highest levels of government.

In the past they kept their anger and sadness to themselves, but today if Tongan women are not happy, and if they are hurt, they will speak out because they have the right to do so, says international women’s leader, Princess Nanasipau‘u Tuku‘aho of Tonga. Interview by Pesi Fonua. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 15, no. 4, January 2001.

If the dawn can tell us what the rest of the day will be like, then the dawn of the 21st Century indicates that the new century will be bright and sunny for Tonga. From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 15, no. 4, January 2001.

The mystery of where the Tongan people came from 3000 years ago, continues to intrigue scholars from around the world. Helping to trace the origin of our ancestors, their way of life, and their migration from Tonga to the rest of Polynesia, a group of Japanese scholars visited Tonga in mid-August in preparation for a two-year research program, which they hoped to start in August 2001. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

Dr Alexander Muller made his annual visit to Tonga to wish the King a happy birthday on July 4. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

The Republic of Fiji, like the Republic of Pakistan, is being suspended from the Council of the Commonwealth of Nations for overthrowing its democratically elected government. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.

For Sale: one Corporal from the British Army, soaked in perfumed Tongan oil. Identified only as “Neil” he was bought by Billfish Bar manager, Liz Sullivan for $100 during an auction to raise funds for the Red Cross on May 16. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 2, June 2000.