Cabinet has decided not to ratify CEDAW, which is The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

CEDAW is often referred to as a “Bill of Rights” for women. It is the only international instrument that comprehensively addresses women’s rights within political, civil, cultural, economic, and social life. Click here to find out more and contact us if you would like a Tongan translation.

Ratifying (or accepting) CEDAW is the first step in making legislation that accounts for women’s human rights. It will make Tonga accountable on an international level, and show the world that we take women’s rights seriously.

However it is not the same as passing legislation.

And we here at the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children are gravely concerned about our government’s lack of commitment to creating a legal system that supports women’s rights.