Legislative Assembly calls for applications for 2025 Practice Parliament for Women

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga is now inviting expressions of interest from women aged 25 years and above to participate in the Practice Parliament for Women 2025, scheduled to be held from 11–16 September 2025 in Nukuʻalofa.

The initiative aims to encourage greater female participation in Tonga’s political processes and decision-making. It also seeks to provide women with a deeper understanding of Parliament’s roles, functions, rules, and procedures, while inspiring leadership and fostering public awareness of women’s perspectives on national issues.

The five objectives of the program include supporting women’s involvement in politics, building knowledge of parliamentary processes and promoting civic engagement, particularly in parliamentary affairs. It also aims to highlighting women’s views on matters of national importance and empowering women in leadership and decision-making roles.

Eligibility criteria:

Applicants must be Tongan subjects, aged 25 or older, fluent in Tongan, with no criminal record, and have lived in their constituency for at least three months prior to applying. They must not be a registered candidate in the upcoming general election or have participated in any previous Women’s Parliament.

Preference will be given to women with proven records in community or youth work and those who have held leadership positions in school or community settings.

Application requirements:

Applicants must complete an official application form and submit two supporting letters, one of which must come from their town officer. The second letter may be from a teacher, employer, coach, youth worker, family member, friend, NGO, church, or equivalent.

Application forms and further information are available from the Office of the Legislative Assembly, Taufaʻahau Road, Nukuʻalofa and also from the MPs Constituency Offices. Interested women can also call 23-565 or 22-455, or email falealea@parliament.gov.to.

The deadline for applications is 4:30pm, Friday, 22 August 2025. Submissions may be delivered in person to the Legislative Assembly or sent online.