Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) Tonga, Taufa'ahau Road Tungi Colonnade Building, Nuku`alofa (2026)

24/08/2026

MORE ʻOFA, LESS VIOLENCE: WCCC TAKES PREVENTION CONVERSATIONS TO SDA COMMUNITIES

Nukuʻalofa, Tonga Sunday 23 August 2026

If God is love, there is no space for violence and abuse in our homes.

This was one of the key messages shared as WCCC recently joined the Tofoa and Popua Seventh-day Adventist Churches for two important conversations about violence prevention, parenting and healthy relationships.

At Tofoa SDA, WCCC’s Lesila Lokotui and Sela Sausini Tuʻipulotu spoke about WCCC’s work and services, the different forms of violence and abuse, and the important role parents, families and the Church can play in creating safer homes.

Their discussion centred on ʻofa - love - in parenting. Parents were encouraged to create safe environments for their children, nurture healthy relationships within the family, make time to listen and have one-to-one conversations, and respect the views of family members.

They also challenged parents to think about discipline, including corporal punishment: if our intention is to teach our children through love, does physical punishment achieve that - or can it cause more harm?

The discussion connected strongly with WCCC’s Moʻui ke Fiefia parenting framework, which places love at the heart of raising children and building strong, safe families.

An important reminder was also shared around child protection: those who harm children are often people known to them. Keeping children safe is therefore everybody’s responsibility - including the Church.

We all have a role to play. Working together, and acting out of love, can save a life. WCCC also reminded the congregation that its services are available to support families and that cases of violence or abuse can be referred to the Centre.

Meanwhile at Popua SDA, WCCC’s Malialosa Falevai and Sulieti Molimoli spoke with youth about Healthy, Equal and Respectful Relationships.

Young people were reminded that healthy relationships also begin with how we see and treat ourselves. Learning to value yourself, know your boundaries and recognise your worth can shape the relationships you build with others.

Most importantly, you do not have to stay in an unhealthy situation or relationship.

The Popua Pastor thanked WCCC and said he wished they had known sooner about the services available, noting that children and young people need to understand the dangers of unhealthy relationships, where they can lead and where they can turn for help.

For WCCC, prevention starts with conversations like these - in our homes, with our young people, and within our churches.

Violence is not love. Control is not love. Fear is not love.

21/08/2026

STAY SAFE, SPEAK UP! WCCC TAKES CHILD SAFETY TO MALIA ‘I-MAKULATA

Knowing what to do when something doesn’t feel right can make all the difference.

The WCCC Prevention Team recently visited Malia ‘I-Makulata Primary School for a fun and important Stay Safe session - giving our children simple, practical tools to help them recognise unsafe situations, make safer choices and speak up when they need help.

And our young learners had three important messages to remember:

👉 Tell your parents or caregivers where you’re going and where you’ll be.
👉 Don’t accept gifts, lollies or invitations from strangers.
👉 Stay where there are other people around - especially if you feel unsure or unsafe.

But one of the BIGGEST messages of the day?

📣 If something doesn’t feel right - TELL SOMEONE.

Children should never feel they have to keep an unsafe situation to themselves. Talk to a parent, caregiver, teacher or another trusted adult. And remember, WCCC is here too.

☎️ 0800 444 - WCCC’s Toll-Free Helpline

We want our children to know this number, know where they can turn for help, and most importantly, know that they have the right to feel safe, protected and heard.

Prevention starts early. It starts with conversations. It starts with giving our children the confidence to recognise danger, trust their instincts and speak up. 💜

A big mālō ‘aupito to the teachers and students of Malia ‘I-Makulata for welcoming our Prevention Team and helping us make child safety everybody’s business.

Stay alert. Stay safe. Speak up. 🛡️💜

21/08/2026

DEPUTY BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS WCCC - RECONNECTING WITH A LONG-STANDING PARTNER

Nukuʻalofa, Tonga 21 August 2026

The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) was delighted to welcome Melissa Williams, Deputy British High Commissioner, to the Centre this week - continuing a relationship that has previously helped WCCC take its prevention work beyond Tongatapu and directly into some of Tonga’s outer island communities.

WCCC’s Lesila Lokotui provided Ms Williams with an overview of the Centre’s work and the range of services available to women and children experiencing violence and abuse – from crisis response and counselling through to safe accommodation, advocacy and prevention.

Ms Williams shared that supporting women and children is a key area of interest for her organisation and one of the reasons she was particularly keen to visit WCCC. She was especially interested in seeing WCCC’s Safe House and understanding how the Centre provides immediate safety and ongoing support to survivors.

There was also plenty of discussion around WCCC’s statistics - and plenty of questions! WCCC’s Soana Pongi took Ms Williams through the numbers, providing further context around who is accessing WCCC’s services and some of the realities sitting behind the data.

A relationship that continues to grow

The visit follows an earlier meeting with Tonga’s newly appointed British High Commissioner, H.E. Keith McMahon MBE, who invited WCCC’s Adaptive Lead Strategic Supprt ʻOfa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki and Lesila Lokotui to meet with him on 16 July, immediately following the inaugural National Women’s Fono.

High Commissioner McMahon was particularly interested in hearing about the Fono, the voices and priorities that emerged from women across Tonga, and the key outcomes of the gathering. He congratulated WCCC on delivering what was a significant and highly successful national event, bringing together women from across Tonga and culminating in the Tonga Women’s Platform for Action 2026–2029.

For WCCC, these recent engagements build on a relationship with the British High Commission that has gone well beyond meetings around a table.

Former British High Commissioner Lucy Joyce joined the WCCC team in Haʻapai, travelling to some of its outer islands, including ʻOʻua, Matuku and Haʻafeva, as part of WCCC’s community outreach and violence prevention work.

The British High Commission also supported WCCC’s International Women’s Day singing event in Haʻapai that same year – bringing women and communities together through music while creating space for conversations about women’s rights, safety and ending violence.

For WCCC, these partnerships matter because preventing violence cannot happen from an office in Nukuʻalofa. It means getting on the boat, reaching the outer islands, sitting with communities and making sure women and children know that support exists – wherever they live.

Following the presentation and visit, Ms Williams praised the work being carried out by WCCC and expressed her appreciation for the services and support the Centre continues to provide to women and children across Tonga.

Mālō ʻaupito, Deputy High Commissioner Williams, for coming through our doors, asking the questions, seeing the work up close – and most importantly, listening.

20/08/2026

PUTTING WOMEN & CHILDREN AT THE HEART OF TONGA’S DIGITAL HEALTH FUTURE

As Tonga strengthens its digital health systems, WCCC is making sure that the everyday realities of women, children and families are part of the conversation.

WCCC’s Lupe ‘Alilia Mo’onia participated in the Ministry of Health’s Health Information System and Gender Workshop on 18-19 August, bringing to the table issues WCCC sees through its frontline work - including challenges families can face around children’s registration, locating health records and accessing important health information.

For WCCC, this is what meaningful participation is about: connecting national systems and policies with what is actually happening on the ground.

Digital transformation is important - but it must be safe, accessible, gender-responsive and designed around the people who need it most.

When we build better systems, we must make sure no woman, child or family is left behind.

Media Contact: Julie Taufa
Phone:+676 22240
Facebook: Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) Tonga

20/08/2026

VAVAʻU WOMEN HAVE SPOKEN. NOW COMES THE ACTION.

Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs commits to taking the call for Temporary Special Measures forward

19 August 2026 NEIAFU VAVA’U

What began in Vavaʻu in November 2024 as an ambitious idea has come full circle - and this time, women’s voices are moving into action.

The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) and Vavaʻu Women’s Fono Committee welcomed Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, Ms Michelle O’Byrne, and Tonga’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Fane Fituafe, to Vavaʻu for a powerful conversation on what comes next following the National Women’s Fono.

The visit began at the WCCC Vavaʻu office, where the delegation was briefed by Counselor Advocate Akosita Tu’akineiafu, on the services provided to women and children with support from the Australian Government, before joining the Vavaʻu Women’s Fono Committee at the Tonga Red Cross Hall.

Vavaʻu was where the first Women’s Sub-Fono was held in November 2024. From there, the journey grew to nine Sub-Fonos across Tonga, the 5,000 Women’s Voices Survey, and more than 350 representatives selected through the Sub-Fono districts coming together at the National Women’s Fono.

The result was Tonga’s first Women’s Platform for Action - 12 critical areas identified and shaped by Tongan women themselves.

A significant outcome from this week’s talanoa was Hon. Fane Fituafe’s commitment to make Temporary Special Measures (TSM) for women’s political representation a priority and to carry forward the voices and mandate of the National Women’s Fono and Tonga Women’s Platform for Action in progressing TSM.

For WCCC, this is exactly why the Fono was created.

Women spoke in their villages. Their voices travelled through the Sub-Fonos, into the National Fono, onto the Platform - and now to the decision-making table.

WCCC acknowledges the Australian Government for believing in this vision from the beginning and supporting a process that placed women’s voices at its centre.

The message from the Vava’u Women’s Fono Committee on behalf of all the women of Tonga is simple:

We have done the talking.
We have built the Platform.
Now comes the action.

18/08/2026

Nuku’alofa, Tuesday 18 August 2026

LISTEN. LEARN. STRENGTHEN.

Dr Sandra Morgan Meets Women at the Heart of WCCC’s Trafficking Response

The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) was honoured to welcome internationally recognised human trafficking expert Dr Sandra Morgan to the WCCC Safe House for a special visit and closed-door conversation with WCCC’s counselling team and women involved in a recent alleged trafficking case arising out of China, which remains under investigation by Tonga Police.

The closed-door session provided a safe and confidential space for the women to share aspects of their experiences directly with Dr Morgan, while WCCC’s counselling team discussed the realities and emerging challenges of supporting women and children who may have experienced trafficking.

WCCC also shared its current approach to supporting survivors - from identification and referral, immediate safety and accommodation, counselling and psychosocial support, legal assistance, education and life skills, economic empowerment, through to reintegration and ongoing support.

At the heart of WCCC’s approach are five principles:

SURVIVOR-CENTRED • CONFIDENTIAL • SAFE • RESPECTFUL • EMPOWERING

Dr Morgan was able to impart critical information, expertise and practical guidance to WCCC’s counselling team, helping the Centre identify areas where its approach can be strengthened and ensuring its response continues to move towards international best practice while remaining grounded in Tonga’s context.

Importantly, Dr Morgan also spoke directly with the women, offering words of encouragement, affirmation and hope as they continue their journey of recovery. She reinforced the importance of their voices being heard and of ensuring that the way forward is guided by their safety, dignity, choices and aspirations for the future.

WCCC’s Response Team Co-Lead Sela Sausini Tu’ipulotu said the conversation reinforced that responding to possible trafficking cannot end when someone returns home.

“Bringing someone home is only the beginning. What happens next matters just as much. They need safety, privacy, time to process what they have experienced and the right support around them to begin rebuilding their lives.”

The visit also highlighted WCCC’s urgent need for a larger, fit-for-purpose Safe House, particularly as the Centre responds to increasingly complex cases where women and children may require separate, private accommodation and specialised support.

WCCC extends its sincere appreciation to Dr Sandra Morgan for listening to the women themselves, sharing her expertise and engaging directly with our counselling team as we continue strengthening Tonga’s response to human trafficking.

We listen. We learn. We strengthen our response - because survivors deserve nothing less.

***To protect the privacy and safety of the women involved, WCCC will not release identifying information or details shared during the closed-door conversation.

16/08/2026

A WIN FOR WOMEN IN TONGA 🇹🇴 🙌🏾 A SIGNAL TO OUR YOUNG WOMEN ✊🏽

The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) congratulates Hon. Vika Sivoki Lavemau on her appointment as Tonga’s new Minister of Finance.

Her appointment is significant - not only because a woman is taking responsibility for one of the country’s most important portfolios, but because of what this moment can represent to the young women and girls of Tonga watching.

Just last month, at the Tonga National Women’s Fono, women from across Tonga came together to develop the Tonga Women’s Platform for Action 2026–2029. Among the voices calling for change were our young women, who spoke clearly about wanting greater opportunities for women and girls to participate, lead and have a meaningful voice in the decisions shaping Tonga’s future.

Today, they can see another Tongan woman sitting at that decision-making table.

We celebrate that.

Hon. Lavemau brings years of experience from within the Ministry of Finance itself, including serving as Deputy CEO, and now steps forward to lead the Ministry at the highest level.

But this moment should also strengthen our collective determination to keep opening doors.

Women remain significantly under-represented in Tonga’s Parliament and national leadership. The Fono reminded us that progress cannot depend only on the exceptional woman who manages to break through. We must continue building the systems, pathways and opportunities that allow many more women - including the young women coming behind us - to lead.

To the young women who raised their voices at the Fono: keep watching, keep speaking, keep preparing and keep claiming your space.

And to Hon. Minister Lavemau, WCCC wishes you God’s guidance, courage, wisdom and strength as you undertake this important responsibility in service to Tonga.

May this be one more door opened - and may many more women walk through it. 🇹🇴

14/08/2026

WCCC LAUNCHES THE MO‘UI KE FIEFIA PARENTING PROGRAM

Building stronger families starts with us

The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) has launched The Mo‘ui Ke Fiefia Parenting Program, bringing together parents, grandparents and caregivers to reflect, learn and strengthen the way we raise and care for our children.

Developed in Tonga over a one-year period by Tongan practitioners and specialists working across different areas of child development, in partnership with Cure Kids New Zealand, the Mo‘ui Ke Fiefia Parenting Program is supported by the New Zealand Government through MFAT’s Manaaki Fund.

The first programme stream, Growing Strong Families (0–12 Years), takes parents on a practical and deeply reflective journey,!recognising that positive parenting is not simply about changing children’s behaviour. It is also about understanding ourselves as parents, the experiences that shaped us, and what we may be carrying from our own childhood into the way we parent today.

The programme began with its foundational session:

“Ko Hai Au? : Who Am I as a Parent?”

Before learning new parenting tools and techniques, participants were invited to look back at their own upbringing: How was love shown in our families? What happened when we made mistakes? Who made us feel safe? What did we learn about discipline, respect and responsibility?

And importantly: What do we want to carry forward? What do we want to change? And what are we ready to leave behind?

Through guided talanoa and reflective activities, participants explored their own parenting journeys, the experiences that shaped them, their strengths, their values, and their hopes for the kind of home they want their children to experience.

The session reinforced a simple but important message: parenting is learned. We may not be able to change how we were raised, but we can make conscious choices about how we raise the next generation.

The conversations were honest and, at times, challenging.

One parent reflected on the importance of modelling the behaviour we expect from our children:

“Sometimes we expect our children to do what we tell them immediately. But when we look back at ourselves, we realise that we don’t always do what we expect our children to do. This made me realise that, as parents, sometimes we are the problem to begin with.”

The parent went on to raise an important question:

“Are we doing what we are telling our children to do? Are we modelling the behaviour we expect from them, or are we expecting them to do it simply because we have the power as parents?”

Another parent raised the importance of equal love and acceptance among children, particularly in families where children may be named after different sides of the family:

“As parents with many children, sometimes we may not show equal love to all our children. We may favour a child who is named after our mother or father, or a child who carries a name from our side of the family.”

The reflection became an important reminder that every child deserves to feel equally loved, valued, safe and accepted within their family.

Importantly, The Mo‘ui Ke Fiefia Parenting Program is not about creating perfect parents. It is about creating a safe and respectful space where parents can reflect without judgement, recognise the strengths they already bring to their families, learn from one another, and identify where they want to grow.

As part of the first session’s Bringing It Home activity, parents were given a simple challenge: spend 15 minutes of uninterrupted time with their child - paying attention to what makes them smile, what helps them feel safe, and what they enjoy doing together.

These seemingly small moments of connection are part of building what sits at the heart of the programme:

‘Api Ko Mo‘ui Ke Fiefia

A happy, safe, loving and resilient home where every family member can reach their full potential.

The programme will continue through its foundational learning before participants move into the age-specific Growing Strong Families (0-12 Years) sessions, exploring children’s development and needs, emotions, connection and communication, positive discipline, boundaries and routines, family safety and resilience.

At the heart of The Mo‘ui Ke Fiefia Parenting Program is the understanding that strong families are not built in one day. They are built through the everyday relationships, choices, conversations and acts of love that happen inside our homes.

Families Living Well and Happily Together

Strong Families • Strong Communities • Strong Tonga

13/08/2026

YOUTH VOICES TAKING THE LEAD: “OUR VOICES MATTER - AND OUR TIME IS NOW”

12 August 2026 Nuku‘alofa, Tonga. Marking International Youth Day.

What happens when you give young women the space to speak freely about the future of Tonga?

They speak. They challenge. They question. And they bring fresh ideas to the table.

In recognition of International Youth Day, the Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) brought together four young women for a special youth panel reflecting on their experiences at last month’s historic Tonga National Women’s Fono and the launch of the first Tonga Women’s Platform for Action.

Hosted by WCCC Youth Advocate Sulieti Molimoli, the conversation featured Fanga Afu, Meleane Finau, Lose Koloti and Julian Uaisele, who spoke openly about the issues that matter to them - from violence and education to climate change, the girl child, women’s leadership and representation in Parliament.

And one thing was clear: young women do not want to simply inherit Tonga’s future. They want a voice in shaping it.

“CHANGE MUST START FROM HOME”

For Fanga Afu, a youth representative from Vahe Loto, ending violence is deeply connected to what children learn and experience within their families.

“Change must start from home. Families should be places where violence has no place.”

Fanga stressed the important role parents play in shaping children’s attitudes towards violence and relationships, while also highlighting education as a pathway to greater independence and opportunity for women, “education is the power for the future.

CLIMATE, LAND AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Meleane Finau, also representing Vahe Loto, brought another critical issue to the conversation - climate change and women’s access to land.

She reflected on the realities facing women and families when decisions around land remain heavily dependent on men.

For Meleane, the conversation is not about taking rights away from men. It is about recognising that women also have rights and ensuring men, families and communities are part of creating meaningful progress.

PROTECTING THE GIRL CHILD

For Lose Koloti, youth representative from Hihifo District, the Girl Child is an issue close to her heart.

Drawing on her experience teaching at ‘Akoteu FWC School, Lose spoke about the need to protect girls and children from violence, abuse, drugs, poverty and other forms of harm, “the next generation will carry what they learn today throughout their lives.”

Her message was simple but powerful: what we invest in our girls today will shape the Tonga they lead tomorrow.

YOUNG WOMEN BELONG IN LEADERSHIP

Julian Uaisele, youth representative from Ha‘apai, spoke passionately about women’s leadership and participation in decision-making.

She stressed that leadership does not begin in Parliament - it begins in our homes, families, communities and organisations.

For Julian, education gives young women the confidence, knowledge and skills to contribute ideas, provide leadership and participate meaningfully in Tonga’s development.

AND THEN THE CONVERSATION GOT INTERESTING…

When the discussion turned to women’s representation in Parliament and Temporary Special Measures (TSMs), the young women shared their honest perspectives.

Fanga challenged women themselves to think about voting patterns:

“If what we are doing is not working, we need to go back and look at what we can do differently to achieve the result we want.”

She questioned why, when women make up such a significant part of Tonga’s population and voting public, more women candidates are not being elected.

Meleane argued that women bring experiences and perspectives into decision-making that cannot simply be represented by men.

Lose offered a different perspective. She questioned whether special measures were the best pathway and argued that women should continue putting themselves forward as candidates, demonstrating their capability, commitment and leadership through the electoral process.

Different views. Different experiences. One important conversation.

For WCCC, creating space for young women to respectfully agree, disagree, question existing systems and form their own views is an important part of meaningful youth participation.

“FRESH VOICES, FRESH IDEAS, FRESH ENERGY”

Reflecting on the programme, WCCC Youth Advocate Sulieti Molimoli said hosting the conversation was an honour,

“I was surrounded by courageous young women who were not afraid to speak about the issues that matter to them. They brought fresh voices, fresh perspectives, fresh ideas and fresh energy into conversations that matter.”

Sulieti said the programme reinforced the importance of creating spaces where young people are not merely invited to attend, but are heard, challenged, supported and given meaningful opportunities to participate, their courage to speak, question and share their views is something that must be nurtured and encouraged - not silenced.”

The Tonga National Women’s Fono may have finished, but the work of bringing the Tonga Women’s Platform for Action to life is only beginning.

And young women must be part of that journey.

Not someday.
Not when they are older.
Not when someone decides they are ready.

Their voices matter now.

Their ideas matter now.

Their leadership matters now.

Mālō ‘aupito to Fanga Afu, Ane Finau, Lose Koloti and Julian Uaisele for bringing your voices, experiences and ideas to the conversation; to Sulieti Molimoli for hosting and facilitating the panel; and to SPC for supporting opportunities for young women to participate and lead.

The future of Tonga is being shaped today - and our young women deserve a seat at the table.

11/08/2026

Happy International Youth Day‼️☄️
Malo ‘Aupito SPC 🫶🏽

Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) Tonga

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