Thirteen women candidates are standing to be included in the race to become the next town and district officers in June.
The Tongan government is urging more women to raise their voice at local governments.
A team of facilitators from the Ministry of Internal Affairs led by former MP Mrs Lepolo Taunisila and Mrs Fuiva Kavaliku left Tongatapu for Vavaʻu today to conduct workshops as part of the government’s endeavour to encourage women to run in the upcoming local election.
The team will be in Haʻapai during the weekend and were expected to arrive in ʻEua early next week.
Women will be exposed during the workshops to the roles and responsibilities of district and town officers.
“The intended outcome for these workshops is to empower women in the outer islands who wish to take up the roles of District or Town Officer”, a statement says.
The idea is not new to Tonga.
The Town Officer of Taunga island in Vavaʻu is Mrs Nunia Lolohea.
There were two women Town Officers in Haʻapai – Pielina Moli and Pulotu Fonua.
