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PSDI discusses women’s role in the private sector at the Tonga National Business Conference
PSDI attended the Tonga National Business Conference last week to present on the theme of Driving Change: the role of women in business and private sector growth in Tonga.
The presentation, by PSDI’s Economic Empowerment of Women Specialist, Sarah Boxall and PSDI consultant Tony Siamomua, covered:
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PSDI’s Gender Inclusive Private Sector (GIPS) Framework for the Pacific, and the results of the Tonga Country Assessment. PSDI developed the GIPS Framework to measure women’s participation in the private sector as employees, consumers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. The Country Assessments use a traffic light rating system to identify progress in government legislation, policy, and programs that facilitate private sector development. It is designed as a tool to guide governments, development partners, and other stakeholders to identify good practices and areas to be addressed to increase opportunities for women in the private sector. In Tonga, 4 of the 23 criteria outlined in the framework have been met or exceeded, 15 have been partially met, and 4 have not been met (or there is insufficient evidence to make a determination).
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PSDI’s broader women in business work in Tonga, including the Tonga Informal Business Survey 2021, commissioned by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development. The report surveyed 2,301 informal businesses across 1,519 households, 56% of which were operated by women. It found that women were more likely than men to see little benefit to business formalization.PSDI is continuing to work with MTED to implement the report’s recommendations, with the aim of increasing the number of women formalizing their businesses.
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PSDI’s Leadership Matters 2024 report. The report found that women’s representation in business leadership in Tonga slightly exceeds the Pacific regional average for board chairs and chief executive officers, but falls below for directors. Importantly, the report found that only 6% of directors on Tonga’s state-owned enterprises were women.
Following the presentation, there was a panel discussion on women’s role in the private sector featuring prominent Tongan businesswomen, Katrina Ma’uFatiakiof TapuakiMei Langi Consultancy; Rita Prema of Adiloa Store; ‘Ana Panuve of Bunny’s Backyard; and Jessica Afeakiof Lava Group @ Ancient Tonga.
Panelists discussed the challenges women face in balancing careers and other responsibilities, how to increase women’s participation in business leadership, and how men and women can support each other to contribute to Tonga’s economic growth. The panelists also described how, through their businesses, they support women suppliers including women businessowners operating in the informal economy.
The panel also discussed the challenges in running a business in Tonga that are shared by men and women business owners, such as access to finance, unreliable infrastructure, the rising costs of goods and services, and difficulties recruiting and retaining staff.
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative Economic Empowerment of Women Specialist, Ms Sarah Boxall, speaks at the Tonga National Business Conference.
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative consultant, Mr Tony Siamomua, presents at the Tonga National Business Conference.
Ms Jessica Afeakiof from the Lava Group @ Ancient Tonga speaks during the panel discussion on women's role in the private sector at the Tonga National Business Conference.
Prominent businesswomen discuss their role in Tonga's private sector during a panel discussion at the Tonga National Business Conference.
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative Economic Empowerment of Women Specialist, Ms Sarah Boxall, presents the Gender Inclusive Private Sector (GIPS) Framework at the Tonga National Business Conference.
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