Australia will invest AUD$20 million (approximately 34 million pa’anga) from 2026 to 2029 to support gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion initiatives in Tonga.
The funding will support priorities identified by the Government, including the implementation of the Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Tonga (WEGET III) Policy and the National Disability Inclusive Development Policy.
Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, Michelle O’Byrne, announced the investment during her first visit to Tonga, where she joined the Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Fane Fituafe, in engagements across Vavaʻu and Tongatapu focused on women’s leadership, participation and inclusion.
The new funding portfolio will expand partnerships with the Ministry for Internal Affairs and civil society organisations. It will also continue Australia’s Families Free of Violence initiative.
O’Byrne said the investment was intended to support priorities led by Tonga rather than impose externally designed programmes.
“Tonga and Australia are Kaumeʻa Ofi – close friends. Our partnership is built on decades of cooperation, deep people-to-people connections and shared values,” she said.
She said inclusive development depended on women and men being able to participate equally, people with disabilities being able to contribute fully and communities being free from violence.
The announcement comes as Government and civil society organisations continue work on national policies aimed at improving women’s participation, addressing violence and strengthening disability inclusion.
The AUD$20 million commitment is expected to fund programmes and partnerships over the next four years, although further details on how the funding will be allocated between Government agencies, civil society organisations and individual initiatives have yet to be announced.
