2 May 2016

Tonga to explore parliamentary quotas for women

7:30 am on 2 May 2016

Tonga's government is exploring ways it can increase the number of women participating in politics.

No caption

Photo: Tonga Parliament

There are currently no female MPs and there have only been a handful of women in both local body and national politics.

In the lead-up to June's town and district officer elections, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been holding workshops to encourage women to particpate.

The Ministry's Chief Executive Ana Bing-Fonua said the government was looking at various options and examples across the region.

"We will definitely look at how Samoa uses temporary special measures and quotas and other examples as well. We are hoping that at the local elections, thereafter we would be able to look into who could help us, give us options to be considered."