Women’s Practice Parliament 2025 gets underway in Nuku’alofa

THIRTY women have taken their seats in Tonga’s Legislative Assembly today, September 11, as participants in the 2025 Practice Parliament for Women. The program runs until September 16 and gives women a chance to debate national issues, learn parliamentary procedures, and step into the role of lawmakers.

Hon. Dulcie Tei, the only elected female MP in the Legislative Assembly, welcomed the cohort today and highlighted the importance of women’s participation in politics. She encouraged participants to work with their communities and collaborate with colleagues to drive change.

Since 2014, Tonga has hosted similar programs with support from international partners. The 2025 initiative focuses on democracy, good governance, transparency, and accountability, helping women break cultural barriers and gain leadership skills.

Participants said they joined to learn about Parliament and gain inspiration from women leaders. They were welcomed at a Meet and Greet dinner by Legislative Assembly staff and facilitators, with speakers from the World Bank and Public Service Commission encouraging them to consider contesting the November election.

In introducing the PPW MPs this morning participants joined the program to learn parliamentary procedures and draw inspiration from women leaders. Salamo Ngalu of ‘Eua 11 said she wanted to understand why women are often reluctant to engage in politics and find ways to encourage their participation.

Ha’apai 12 MP ‘Ana Soakai Takai who ran in the 2021 election, called joining this year’s Practice Parliament a dream come true although it is not a real parliamentary setting while Vava’u 14 MP Pasimata Vaisima expressed support for the program as a way to empower women in leadership, both at home and in the community

At a Meet and Greet dinner at Ancient Tonga, the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, and Legislative Assembly staff welcomed the participants.

Facilitators ‘Ofa Likiliki and Haitelenisia Angilau noted the significance of their selection. Speakers, including World Bank Country Manager Natalia Palu and Public Service Commission Chairperson Tai‘atu ‘Ata‘ata, urged the MPs to consider running in the November election and emphasising the importance of women’s voices in leadership.

The Minister of Internal Affairs Hon. Sinai Tu’itahi affirmed that women could compete on equal footing with men in Parliament.

This is the third Practice Parliament for Women in Tonga.

Despite women gaining the right to vote in 1951, only 13 have been elected to Parliament. The program is kindly supported by the Legislative Assembly, UNDP through the Pacific's Parliament Effectiveness Initiative (PPEI) funded by the New Zealand Government, Government of Australia, the Chinese Embassy and the Balance of Power.