Tongan women

The Tongan Ministry of Justice and the Pacific Community's Regional Rights Resource Team will launch the project this week to celebrate International Human Rights Day.

Research by the University of the South Pacific and the Ma'a Fafine moe Famili Centre indicates three out of four Tongan women have been physically or sexually abused during their lives.

Kaniva Tonga reported the new community advice centre would help domestic violence survivors to apply for protection orders under the Family Protection Act.

Photo: eakmoto/123RF

Jenny Salesa, who is also Tongan, held a meeting in Nuku'alofa last week inviting women who were interested in standing in local government or parliamentary elections.

RNZI reports town and district elections are scheduled to take place in June.

Mrs Salesa said more than 50 women attended the meeting.