Battle of women's rights continues in Tonga

Transcript

The Tongan government is facing increasing pressure to stop the ratification of a major UN convention on women's rights with multiple petitions, marches and a parliamentary resolution opposing the move.

Despite this, the government seems intent on ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, or CEDAW.

Koro Vaka'uta reports.

Last week, three petitions were submitted to parliament totalling about 4,000 signatures and two marches involving hundreds of people took place all calling for a halt to the CEDAW ratification.Opponents are worried ratification will open the door for same sex marriage and abortion. MP and former deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu followed up the submissions by putting forward a parliamentary resolution which was supported in the house. Mr Vaipulu says the people have done all they can and now the issue is between parliament and the government.

SAMIU VAIPULU: It is the constitutional right of the people to have a petition.  What parliament has told government to do, it is up to them whether they want to do it or not but there are other means of getting through to what the people want.  That is democracy.  They have to listen to the people.

On Friday a 15,000 signature petition was also presented to the royal palace requesting that the king stop the government from ratifying a UN convention on women's rights. Church leader Father Selwyn 'Akau'ola says the request has been made for royal intervention as the government seems intent on going ahead with the move.

SELWYN AKAU'OLA: It sounds like, like they said on the radio, that the government will still go on.  We are still a very young democracy but I think the people will have the last say on this.

But a women's advocate says people are being distracted and misled into opposing the government ratification. Vanessa Heleta is director of the Talitha Project, an non government organisation which promotes the development and empowerment of women. Ms Heleta says the fear that CEDAW will lead to same sex marriages and abortion in Tonga is a misconception and people are being brainwashed. She says the protests are saddening.

VANESSA HELETA: I feel very sad and I feel that it is a waste of time because there are so many other issues we can address but it is drowned by this wrong misconception.

The government, for its part, has said it has not changed its stance despite the intensifying opposition. The Minister of Internal Affairs Fe'ao Vakata says discussions will continue and there needs to be even more education on the matter.

FE'AO VAKATA: I just talked to the CEO and told him that they have to print the Tongan version of the CEDAW in the paper next week and also with some FAQs, (frequently asked questions), of CEDAW because I think a lot of people in Tonga still don't understand what CEDAW is about.

Mr Vakata says the government will listen to people but also needs to do what is best for the country.