She Leads Fale Alea 2025 Launches in Nuku’alofa

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga — The She Leads Fale Alea 2025 program officially launched today in the Parliament Chamber, welcoming 30 young women from across the Kingdom as Members of the Practice Parliament during their orientation.

Inspiring keynote remarks was delivered by Chief Clerk of Parliament, Gloria Pole’o, who reaffirmed the Legislative Assembly of Tonga’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young women leaders. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity, civic education, and intergenerational dialogue in building a resilient and progressive Tonga.

“Parliament has opened its doors to support and empower young women to realise their potential as future leaders,” said Pole’o. “You may think you are still young, but with heart and determination, you can become great leaders of tomorrow.”

The event also welcomed distinguished guests from Kiribati, including the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Ruta Babo Nemta and Deputy Clerk Kakiata Tikataake — highlighting the value of Pacific collaboration and shared learning.

Running until Friday, April 25, the orientation program will prepare participants for two days of Practice Parliament sessions on April 28–29, where they’ll step into the shoes of real MPs. This year’s theme, “Sustainability and Resilience,” speaks to the critical role young women play in addressing national challenges and shaping a sustainable future for Tonga.

Organized by Take the Lead Tonga in partnership with the Office of the Legislative Assembly, She Leads Fale Alea is the only program of its kind in the Pacific. It provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young women to engage directly with parliamentary processes and develop their leadership skills.

Elizabeth Kite, founder of Take the Lead Tonga, encouraged the young leaders to seize the moment.

“You are part of a growing legacy of young women who step forward with courage, curiosity, and love for our Kingdom,” said Kite. “Your voices matter, your leadership matters, and this Chamber welcomes you to rise.”

Throughout the week, participants will dive into key parliamentary concepts including legislative processes, rules of procedure, and the responsibilities of elected officials. Expert-led workshops and interactive training sessions will help strengthen their civic knowledge and leadership potential.

The experience will lead to debates, where the young MPs will present motions and petitions developed with guidance from the She Leads Fale Alea Committee and Legislative Assembly staff.

Participants will also have speakers and presentations from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, MEIDECC, the Ministry of Education, and the Electoral Commission — gaining a comprehensive understanding of Tonga’s civic and policy landscape.

She Leads Fale Alea 2025 is made possible with the support of partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Embassies of Switzerland and the People’s Republic of China, and the Tonga Development Bank.

Through initiatives like She Leads Fale Alea, the Legislative Assembly continues to pave the way for youth engagement in national leadership — ensuring that young women are not just heard, but truly empowered to lead.