21 Nov 2005

Tongan women's group calls for more consultation about reforms

11:35 am on 21 November 2005

The Coordinator for the Tongan Women's Action Group for Change, Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, says women have not been sufficiently consulted in the push for democratic reform.

The National Committee for Political Change is giving the government until the first week of December to respond to its submissions for reform before it undertakes a series of strategic demonstrations.

However, Mrs Guttenbeil-Likiliki says not everyone has been given a chance to air their views.

"The majority of these consultations have been concentrated in kava circles. It hasn't reached the rural woman, it hasn't reached the youth groups. So, it's not a pluralistic voice in what's happening now."

Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki

But Pro-democracy MP, Akilisi Pohiva, says he has campaigning for change for about 15 years and during that time everyone has had ample opportunity to air their views.