WUNRN
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Tonga
National Women's Congress to Lobby Tonga to Ratify CEDAW |
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September 2009 THE Tonga National Women's Congress is disappointed over the decision of the Cabinet last month to reject their lobby for Tonga to ratify the CEDAW Convention. CEDAW is a Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discriminations against Women. Despite this, the President of the Congress, Mele ‘Amanaki says this is not the end, adding they will consider lodging another letter to the Honourable Prime Minister and His Majesty. She says the international convention highlights the need to empower women in all aspects of life, socially, economically and politically. “Signing the convention doesn't mean we treat it like a law or regulation. Even to formulate any kind of legislation, but to show we support all its values and principles and uphold them in our country,” explained Ms. ‘Amanaki. She says it was confirmed in a letter dated August 28th from the Secretary and Chief Secretary to Cabinet's Busby Kautoke to the Clerk of Parliament DR. Viliami Latu, saying that their motion has not been approved. According to Mr. Kautoke's letter, the cabinet in its decision number 716 do not approve their proposal due to some of its clauses. It includes the rights of gay men and lesbians to marry their own kind. “We have signed many other conventions such as the Rights of the Child, WTO, land issues among others which may have similar impact on Tonga. But I question why do they wait until we put in our submission and why are they disregarding this women's move.” Tonga National Women's Congress is adamant that the convention will not in some way eliminate the men's right. However, it is to ensure that gender issues are addressed giving more recognition to women's work in the family, society and in the country. 10 countries in the Pacific have signed up to the CEDAW convention, except Tonga. |
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