Speaker condemns mocking of women’s leadership, as House closes before election
Source: Matangi Tonga
Several motions proposed by women and presented to the Tonga Legislative Assembly were met with resistance and disparaging questioning from the House, during its final sitting for the year.
The Speaker Lord Fakafanua expressed deep disappointment over the "degrading and mocking terms towards women," in the House on 18 September.
The motions, written by participants of the Practice Parliament for Women 2025, were presented for the House to recognize, and for the government's table to consider.
The Practice Parliament for Women 2025, an initiative by the Legislative Assembly aimed at empowering women's voices in Tonga's legislature, saw 30 women from across Tonga engage in official debates last week. The women adopted seven motions, including one that called for introducing temporary special measures (TSM) seats for women in Parliament.
Entrenched attitudes
But when the women's motions were presented to the Legislative Assembly, the responses revealed entrenched attitudes toward women, held by members of a parliament that is mostly comprised of men.
Speaking to the TSM Motion, Vava'u Noble’s Representative No. 2 and Chair of the Committee of the Whole House, Lord Tu’ilakepa, noted that there was an "increasing presence of women in Parliament."
He questioned the Speaker, whether men would also have an opportunity to bring proposals and told the Speaker to consider a "Parliament for men."
He went on to express concern that such initiatives might lead to "the other class" (referring to the gay community) also wanting their own Parliament.
“I fear the other class might attempt to do their own Parliament,” he said.
He also made comments about women's roles, saying women were now taking over CEO positions.
“I hope my wife will not participate in this but stays in her place as a woman,” Lord Tu'ilakepa said.
Several motions proposed by women and presented to the Tonga Legislative Assembly were met with resistance and disparaging questioning from the House, during its final sitting for the year.
The Speaker Lord Fakafanua expressed deep disappointment over the "degrading and mocking terms towards women," in the House on 18 September.
The motions, written by participants of the Practice Parliament for Women 2025, were presented for the House to recognize, and for the government's table to consider.
The Practice Parliament for Women 2025, an initiative by the Legislative Assembly aimed at empowering women's voices in Tonga's legislature, saw 30 women from across Tonga engage in official debates last week. The women adopted seven motions, including one that called for introducing temporary special measures (TSM) seats for women in Parliament.
Entrenched attitudes
But when the women's motions were presented to the Legislative Assembly, the responses revealed entrenched attitudes toward women, held by members of a parliament that is mostly comprised of men.
Speaking to the TSM Motion, Vava'u Noble’s Representative No. 2 and Chair of the Committee of the Whole House, Lord Tu’ilakepa, noted that there was an "increasing presence of women in Parliament."
He questioned the Speaker, whether men would also have an opportunity to bring proposals and told the Speaker to consider a "Parliament for men."
He went on to express concern that such initiatives might lead to "the other class" (referring to the gay community) also wanting their own Parliament.
“I fear the other class might attempt to do their own Parliament,” he said.
He also made comments about women's roles, saying women were now taking over CEO positions.
“I hope my wife will not participate in this but stays in her place as a woman,” Lord Tu'ilakepa said.