Outcome TON_D_1.1

By 2027, more people, particularly those at risk of being left behind, benefit from more equitable access to resilient, and gender-responsive, quality basic services, food security/nutrition and social protection systems. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

In 2025, progress toward Outcome 2.1 in Tonga was reflected in early but verifiable shifts in institutional ownership, coordination practices, and system preparedness within the national EVAWG service architecture. The most significant institutional milestone during the reporting period was the recruitment of a dedicated GBV Administrative Data Officer within the Women’s Affairs and Gender Equality Division (WAGED) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in October. This appointment transitioned the national GBV administrative data workstream from deferral to active implementation and established dedicated institutional capacity to coordinate data collection, analysis, and cross-sector engagement across Family Protection Advisory Council (FPAC) and Service Delivery Protocol (SDP) member agencies. During the July–December 2025 reporting period, coordination-relevant outputs were formally generated and documented. These included administrative data scoping exercises identifying cross-sector data flows and coordination gaps; updated service-mapping inputs clarifying institutional roles and referral pathways; and technical reviews examining integration of GBV risk mitigation within disaster preparedness frameworks. Together, these actions marked a shift from fragmented and ad-hoc arrangements toward more structured and systematised approaches to information management and coordination under the new partnership framework. While these changes did not yet result in observable increases in service access or utilisation for women and girls, they strengthened institutional readiness to monitor and coordinate essential services under existing frameworks, including the Family Protection Act and associated Service Delivery Protocols. A second area of institutional progress was observed in emergency preparedness integration. Technical reviews conducted during 2025 examined the incorporation of GBV risk mitigation within the national Anticipatory Action Framework, Village Disaster Risk Management Plan Guidelines, and Protection Cluster training materials. Updated GBV in Emergencies pocketbook materials were disseminated through institutional channels to frontline responders. Although no emergency activation occurred during the reporting period, these system-level inputs strengthened preparedness architecture by embedding GBV considerations within disaster coordination systems, contributing to greater resilience of service coordination in future emergencies. At the level of individuals and communities, outcome-level change remained limited during the reporting period. Planned outreach and wellness clinic activities intended to support community-level access to services—particularly for women and girls facing heightened barriers, including those in outer islands—were deferred due to competing operational priorities. As a result, no verifiable changes in access to, or use of, essential services by rights-holders can be reported for 2025. Compared to 2024, which was characterised by broader government-wide gender mainstreaming and planning reforms, 2025 marked the formal establishment of a structured partnership under the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls and the initiation of institutional strengthening at the level of EVAWG service coordination and administrative data governance. As 2025 represents the first partial year of implementation following partnership formalisation and tranche release, comparable year-on-year coordination data are not yet available; outcome reporting therefore focuses on documented institutional changes generated during the establishment phase. UN Women’s catalytic contribution during 2025 centred on technical assistance for administrative data system initiation, service-mapping facilitation, and review of coordination-relevant frameworks. Given the delayed partnership formalisation in mid-2025, investments were deliberately sequenced toward system readiness before operational coordination mechanisms were activated. The year’s results contributed to the enabling environment required for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.2.1 by reinforcing institutional coordination, data infrastructure, and emergency preparedness within EVAWG service systems. While no population-level reductions in violence or measurable increases in service access were observed during the reporting period, the changes achieved support longer-term progress toward SDG 5.2.1 by strengthening the durability, accountability, and resilience of national service systems.

By 2027, more people, particularly those at risk of being left behind, benefit from more equitable access to resilient, and gender-responsive, quality basic services, food security/nutrition and social protection systems. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

This outcome is on track. The signing of an MOU between the Government of Tonga and UN Women to develop the Tonga National Prevention of VAW Framework illustrates a concerted effort to address GBV at multiple societal levels, engaging various sectors in transformative initiatives. The agreement to develop this framework indicates political will protect the human rights of women and girls and to put in place measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. The Women Affairs Division, Ministry of Internal Affairs launched the Tonga National Service Delivery Protocol (SDP) for Responding to Cases of GBV, in March 2021, which marked a pivotal shift in the interagency response among social services, police, health, and legal/justice providers. The implementation of this protocol, supports the provision of clear definitions, guiding principles, and minimum standards, and will led to a more coordinated and standardized approach in responding to GBV cases, emphasizing confidentiality, informed consent, and interagency cooperation. The implementation of the Tonga National Service Delivery Protocol (SDP) for Responding to Cases of Gender-based Violence continues to be supported by UN Women through the rollout of training for essential frontline service providers in 2023. This included the upskilling of new staff at the Tonga Women and Children Crisis Centre, the Training of Trainers on GBV Counselling. The SDP benefits women and girls who have experienced violence in Tonga by providing definitions, guiding principles and minimum standards for all government and non-government organisations involved in responding to cases of GBV. The protocol outlines the need for confidentiality and procedures for information sharing, as well as clarifying that victims’ informed consent must be central to all actions taken by service providers (including for police, who must explain their ‘No Drop’ policy in relation to filed complaints). Processes for making referrals are documented, with specific detail of coordinating referral services for all the island groups outlined. However, UNFPA’s Health Facility Readiness and Service Availability Assessment has found that none of the facilities visited were assessed as GBV service ready. UNFPA is finalising the Minimum Health Standard Operating Procedures for Clinical Management of Rape, Sexual Violence and Gender-Based Violence to support the National Service Delivery Protocol. The Ha’apai Psychosocial and Mobile Counseling team boosted support and advocacy for GBV survivors in rural areas through the "Leaving No One Behind" initiative in Niua Fo’ou. All three branches reported that their island communities are increasingly becoming aware of their services and locations. The Vava’u and Ha’apai branches made considerable efforts to ‘leave no one behind’ by reaching remote communities on their respective islands. Ensuring accessibility for all, they offer a toll-free helpline The Ha’apai Psychosocial and Mobile Counseling provided direct psychosocial support to 51 women and 44 children (25 girls, 19 boys) from Matuku, ‘O’ua, Ha’afeva, and Tungua. UN Women provided technical and financial support to WCCC to support these activities. These initiatives have ensured that women and children in remote communities receive the necessary psychosocial support, showcasing a proactive and inclusive approach to service provision. The Tonga Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) and the Women’s Affairs and Gender Equality Division (WAGED) have improved staff knowledge and skills through training to work towards improved service delivery, aligning with the SDP, GBV counselling, and the Family Protection Act. This highlights a performance enhancement in service provision to GBV survivors. This was achieved by the participation of 22 government ministries / departments, and 5 CSOs in a series of workshops as part of integrating gender and women’s empowerment into national planning processes. The post workshop data reflects that the majority of participants’ expectations were met and there was an overall improved understanding of gender mainstreaming (89%). Respondents acknowledged key learnings to include understanding the relationship between gender mainstreaming and its link to gender responsive budgeting, the need for gender audits of corporate plans, recognition that gender activities/work is being undertaken by some sectors however it is not articulated in the corporate plans, recognition that improved coordination and more opportunities for training and networking were needed to maintain the momentum post workshop, UN Women partnered with the National Planning Office of Tonga to co-facilitate at the workshops. New essential frontline service workers in GBV response services at the Tonga Women and Children Crisis Centre have had their skills and knowledge enhanced through attendance at the Training of Trainers on GBV Counselling. 8 women and 3 men church members increased their knowledge of the prevention of gender-based violence through attendance at the Gender Status Card (GSC) training in Tonga as well as learning more about the role churches can take to prevent GBV in their communities. 18 rural women leaders on Tonga’s northernmost island, Niua Fo’ou are more confident and skilled to provide advocacy services around GBV after they participated in a training by WCCC as Focal Point Advocates (FPA). This was part of WCCC’s Niua Fo’ou 'Leaving No One Behind' initiative. There are no changes on the ToC or strategy for 2024. Tonga's approach in 2023, from enhancing institutional protocols and training to fostering community-based advocacy and support, shows progress towards a more responsive, inclusive, and supportive framework for addressing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.

By 2027, more people, particularly those at risk of being left behind, benefit from more equitable access to resilient, and gender-responsive, quality basic services, food security/nutrition and social protection systems. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

Tonga has made progress toward more resilient and gender-responsive social protection systems in 2024. Through institutional reforms, enhanced coordination mechanisms, and strategic policy shifts, the nation has strengthened its approach to preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls (PPEVAWG). Moving beyond isolated gender initiatives, Tonga has implemented comprehensive, government-wide approaches that better serve all citizens, including those in remote communities who have historically been underserved. Institutional Reforms A key development is the integration of gender-responsive approaches within Tonga's national planning system through the National Planners Forum. This systemic change ensures that gender considerations extend beyond a single ministry and are integrated across all government sectors. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) now leads gender mainstreaming efforts, elevating this priority within high-level planning and resource allocation processes. By embedding gender-responsive budgeting and planning mechanisms into the government's core annual planning cycle, this reform establishes a lasting framework for gender equality. Additional Progress Areas Governance and Coordination Improvements: The Women and Gender Equality Division (WAGED), under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), has expanded its authority from isolated policy implementation to leading cross-government gender mainstreaming efforts. Through strategic collaboration between WAGED/MIA and the PMO, gender equality has been elevated within national planning priorities, creating a stronger institutional foundation for these efforts. Building on this institutional strengthening, cross-ministerial coordination has improved through the National Service Delivery Protocol (2021). This protocol connects multiple service providers including the Tonga Family Protection Legal Aid Center, police domestic violence unit, and counseling services, creating an integrated network that enhances service delivery effectiveness. Inclusive Planning and Resource Allocation: These governance improvements have directly influenced resource allocation patterns, which have shifted toward gender-responsive budgeting. Government planners now routinely apply gender-responsive budgeting and gender-sensitive financial analysis in their planning processes, ensuring resources are distributed more equitably throughout government operations. This more inclusive approach to resource allocation extends to geography as well. Remote community needs are now systematically integrated in planning processes, with the National Planners Forum actively engaging participants from outer islands. Through this process, officials have identified specific gaps in case management for outer islands, particularly Vava'u, enabling services to reach beyond the main island of Tongatapu. These inclusive planning efforts have led to the identification of service improvements in four key areas: safe housing, community response protocols, counselor training, and remote case management. By pinpointing these specific needs, planners can make more informed resource allocation decisions that address gaps in service delivery. Monitoring, Reporting and Strategic Approaches: To measure the impact of these governance and planning improvements, national reporting mechanisms have been aligned with regional frameworks (Pacific Platform for Action) and global frameworks (Beijing+30). This strategic alignment creates more consistent data collection processes that reduce reporting burdens while maintaining accountability, with government departments now using streamlined reporting protocols. Complementing these broader reporting frameworks, standardized monitoring tools for gender equality commitments have been implemented. MIA actively applies these tools, which were tested through the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration framework, strengthening the quality and reliability of data used to guide gender equality initiatives. Stakeholder Engagement and Prevention Focus: While improvements in governance, planning, and monitoring are essential, lasting change requires broad community engagement. Multi-stakeholder dialogue on gender-based violence has therefore expanded significantly. Cultural, faith, and community leaders now actively participate in discussions on social norms affecting gender-based violence prevention, bringing diverse perspectives to these critical conversations. Additionally, civil society organizations contribute substantively to the National Gender Equality Forum's assessment of Tonga's progress. This expanded dialogue has contributed to a strategic shift from response-only to prevention-focused approaches in addressing gender-based violence. Stakeholders have submitted amendments to the Family Protection Act to address emerging issues such as trafficking and mobility-related gender-based violence. Furthermore, the recognized need for a dedicated EVAW policy demonstrates movement toward more comprehensive prevention frameworks that address root causes rather than just symptoms. Impact on Social Protection Systems: The integration of gender-responsive approaches into national planning processes has transformed how social protection systems are designed and implemented across Tonga. By expanding WAGED's authority, improving cross-ministerial coordination, incorporating remote community needs, and shifting resource allocation patterns, Tonga has created more equitable access to services for all citizens, with particular attention to those in outer islands. The standardized monitoring tools and improved data collection mechanisms ensure that social protection systems can identify and respond to those most at risk of being left behind. Through the shift to prevention-focused approaches and engagement of diverse stakeholders, Tonga is building more resilient social systems that address the root causes of gender-based violence while providing support to survivors. These changes reflect institutional and policy transformations that position Tonga to continue progress in creating safer environments for women and girls and advancing gender equality across all levels of society. With technical support from UN Women, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and SPC, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is working towards stronger policy frameworks and social protection systems while ensuring implementation engages cultural, faith, and community leaders in driving social transformation throughout Tongan society.