The ongoing fight for women’s equal land ownership rights in Tonga remains a pressing issue, as the country continues to enforce legislation barring women from owning land. Tonga is the only Pacific nation with such laws, stemming from an 1875 legal framework that only allows men to inherit land.
Calls for reform are increasing both domestically and internationally, with many urging the government to address the outdated law. ‘Ofakilevuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki, director of the Women and Children Crisis Centre, emphasized the need for change in an interview with ABC Pacific news.
“It’s an old law based on a feudal system,” Guttenbeil-Likiliki said. “I believe it was applicable at the time because men worked the land, whilst women took care of the domestic sphere at home.”
However, in 2024, Tonga’s socio-economic landscape has shifted. “The current context is changing. We need to review it,” she added, highlighting how women now play vital roles across all sectors of society.
The issue of land ownership rights has become a central topic in gender equality discussions in Tonga, as advocates push for legal reforms that reflect the modern contributions of Tongan women and ensure fair treatment under the law.
Source: ABC Pacific
