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.
