Big Girl Pants, Continued

With the new side of democracy in Tonga’s government, it is possible for a woman to be the Prime Minister. There have been 4 women in Parliament over the last 4 decades, the current Minister of Education is a woman, there are female lawyers and doctors, female principals, female ministers, etc.

In the grand scheme of things, women are much more limited in other parts of the world.
But in the last couple of years, more husbands have killed their wives, women still cannot own land, women are being out-maneuvered on the political spectrum because only men are allowed at specific social interactions that would attract a large political support network (i.e. kava circles), and in other islands like Ha’apai, ‘Eua, outer islands in Vava’u, and the Niua’s, most women have little to no job opportunities. Not to say they’re unhappy doing domestic duties, but they have no other choice, either. In most cases, a victim of rape is blamed for being out too late, not listening to other advice, giving it up too easily, or wearing “suggestive clothing.”

Sound familiar?

Tonga’s patriarchal history is definitely more current and active than what most of you guys are accustomed to, but it’s not other-worldly. If nothing else, it shows how closely connected Tonga is to the Western world. And all over the world, there is unequal treatment based on gender.

(Enter Camp GLOW.)

We’re not expecting women to own land or be elected Prime Minister anytime soon, but until then, we as PCVs are working to build up a foundation of empowering young women. These young women have little sisters, who can be taught the value of their gender, ideas, beliefs…and these young women will grow to be older women who feel comfortable in leadership positions within society, business, politics, the church, the home, and any other avenues of female empowerment.

Empowered by Educational Sessions:
This year in ‘Eua, the youngest of our group was very open and honest in a discussion about Domestic Abuse. When the core speaker asked the group about the forms of domestic abuse, the girl had answers enough to fill a whole page with bullet points. The speaker, about as baffled (but not quite) as I was, asked her if she made this up or had seen it. The girl had seen it. Experienced it. Done it, even (as far as physical abuse.) *I will make a note that Tonga is a very physical culture—punishment almost always involves a smack to the head, the bottom, the hands, legs, etc. So this girl wasn’t the only one who had physically disciplined her younger siblings.*
The core speaker for Women’s Health was absolutely thrilled by how many questions the girls asked. They broke out of their shells, ditched conservatism to the wind, and asked the speaker about menstruation, hormones, sex, necessary bathing rituals during menstruation, etc. (It’s a common myth that while on your period, you shouldn’t bathe or wash your hair in cold water.)

During the Anger Management session, the girls were wiping tears from whoops of laughter done by our most energetic speaker, a male advocate at Salvation Army. But between each bout of laughter was a serious self-evaluation, where the girls were taught to look inward at sources of anger rather than follow the norm and relieve steam through violence.
In Community Involvement/Creative Expression, campers and counselors alike were getting into character as palm trees breezing over a sunbather, or biscuits beside a cup of tea on a saucer. They learned how to walk like a model, dance hip-hop, and mold themselves by group into a car.

For community service, two groups happily shouted they wanted to pick up rubbish, while the other group wanted to make environmental awareness posters for the nearest primary school. And throughout the week—often without being asked—many girls offered to clean, sweep, organize, help carry equipment, etc. When a girl’s dad was sick, another comforted her. When Kimberly baked cookies, the girls were outstanding in showing appreciation; “Kimi—you—you made these for US? Diss…diss is so NICE!”

During the rotation of tie dye and painting the camp banner, each girl was individual in expressing what contribution she wanted to make; they drew stars and Tongan flowers, they dyed with their own color scheme, they asked for help, but they wanted to be different.
This, friends, is a good start.

So thank you for every word of support, every dollar you donated, and every opportunity you’ve helped to give these girls.

And I'm pretty sure the first female Prime Minister is a 15-year-old girl from 'Eua who looks like Lauryn Hill, acts like Michelle Obama, and has the mindset of Rosie the Riveter. Just sayin'.