Petition in Support of CEDAW Featured
Nuku'alofa, 26 May, 2015. The supporters of CEDAW in Tonga is doing their best trying to sell to the public the need for the country to ratify this UN Convention.
Despite the multiple petitions, protest marches and strong oppositions from anti-CEDAW led by church leaders, the pro-CEDAW camp compose mainly of several non-government organisations is preparing a petition to Tonga Legislative Assembly in support of the controversial convention.
Public debates on CEDAW dominate the lives of ordinary Tongans for months not to mention the political implications and the uproar on media. While church leaders are able to mobilize the 95% + Christians nation, Tonga governmen remains commited to CEDAW as confirmed by the Minister of Internal Affairs Hon. Vakata to the media on Friday 22 May 2015.
'Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki a key women advocate stated in an interview with radio New Zealand yesterday Monday 25 May 2015 that there are plenty of people who do support the empowerment of women.
According to Guttenbeil Likiliki, 13 NGOs have come together under the Civil Society Forum to show their support for CEDAW even though the group doesn't have the resources of local churches which have mobilised against CEDAW. As such, representatives from these NGOs will sign the petition.
"More strategically we are coming together as heads of organisations that work on the ground, that work with vulnerable groups, that work with women who are not your average privileged Tongan women who have access to all her social, economic, political and cultural rights. We work for the women who have no say, who are voiceless" said Guttenbeil-Likiliki.
The pro CEDAW petition will be submitted to Parliament sometime this week as Tonga Parliament will be officially opened by His Majesty King Tupou VI on Thursday 28 May 2015.
14 comments
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'Oku ou tui mahalo kuo milionea 'a CEDAW lahi he fu'u pa'anga ne lau kiai 'a Palemia he TV moe letioo. 'Oku 'ikai ke u tokanga au ki he 'ene milionea ka ko 'ene tu'umalie he funga he mate hotau kaha'u mo 'etau fanau.
Malo -
Ko e CEDAW lahi foki na'e loloa 'ene ako 'o 'uhinga pe he na'e feinga kene fakapapau'i e me'a kotoa pea na'e tupu ai 'ene nofo ta'u lahi he kalasi kotoa nene fou hake ai. 'Oki toe loea pe foki pea koe lekooti hopo 'oku fu'u lelei. Hopo 'e 35 mo'ua ai 30 pea kole fakamolemole hopo 'e 4 pea ikuna e 1 koe 'ikai ha fakamaau.
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'Etita tuku ke tau 'ai hokohoko pe he 'oku tau 'ofa ki he kaha'u si'etau fanau. Ko e ha nai e tu'unga fakaako 'o CEDAW lahi, he lava kene pehe mai 'oku hala e ma'u 'a e kakai mo e kau taki lotu. 'Oku ou manatu ki he sivi 'a e CEDAW lahi he kei ako. Fefe fakamaama kuo fai 'e he kau loea mo e kau lao 'iloa e fonua ni.
Malo -
Halataufa vakai lelei pe ki he taa ko e Hilifakinima 'ena 'e he ongo Pulukalia pe Mosepitemia 'a CEDAW lahi mo na fanafana ange 'e lahi ho'o pa'anga 'e sio hifo ki hoku mama. Me'a faka'ofa ko e mata'i halaia 'a e ki'i finemotua falani kavei mei Tonga he 'ofisi 'o e UN. Halataufa pehe ke pale ho la'a ka ko hai 'e tu'u mohotau kaha'u 'a'a mai pea 'oua 'e tuku. Na'a hu mai 'a Setane.
Malo -
'Ikai tama Talamatangi ha'aku manatu kiai 'asili ai kuo kamata ke pale 'a e la'a.
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Halataufa 'oku ke kei manatu'i pe 'a e fefine taupotu mai ki mu'a he Halataufa.
Malo -
Hange kiate au koha ongo Pulukalia hihifo...
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Faka'ofa mo'oni ko e ongo ki'i vavai poupou CEDAW 'oku 'asi mai mei mui he fu'u CEDAW lahi ( Ko e Siamane pe koe Potukali)
Malo -
Very well said Fifita, and that's what I've been saying all along - What can CEDAW do that is not already enshrined in our laws and constitution? Women are already at the apex of Tongan society, and trying equalise them to men is a great demotion and insult to women in Tonga. I suggest supporters of CEDAW should take an educational tour to African countries, Arab and Moslem countries, South East Asian countries etc. and even PNG, Solomons and Vanuatu to be nearer to home, and see how women are viewed and treated, they will then appreciate the status of women in Tongan society. CEDAW was meant for those societies, where women inhabit the lowest level in the social structure, and where the rights of women (that Tongan women enjoy and take for granted) are non-existent.
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'Oku ou tui 'e laka kotoa 'a e kau tama mei he Ha'a Havea he laka ni. He 'oku tali 'io 'a Tevita Havea, Taki 'a Tuluu Havea he Sosaieti Sivile pea 'oku poupou mo ia ki he CEDAW. 'Oku to e poupou mai foki mo e ki'i faifekau 'Ungatea Kata ko e taha pe 'o e kau tama. 'Oku tau faka'amu kenau ha mai kotoa ki tu'a he laka ko 'eni.
Malo