The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) in Tonga was founded in 2009 by the incredible ʻOfa Guttenbeil-Likiliki with the intention of advocating for women, human rights, and eliminating domestic violence through education, counselling, safe houses, and political advocacy. WCCC is the leading women’s human rights organisation in Tonga, providing response, support, and prevention initiatives.
PPP is proud to have partnered with WCCC for a Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) grant, supporting WCCC in delivering mobile counselling clinics to the remote islands, advocating for a change in narrative, and supporting women in receiving the resources they need as well as educating men and children on the complexities and impacts of gender based violence.
Women from Hihifo Lifuka Island Ha’apai
Initially planning to deliver 18 clinics across 2 remote islands, the recent Covid-19 pandemic pushed the team at WCCC to be creative and re-evaluate what the best approach is to work with communities on the remote islands.
To date WCCC has delivered:
- 2 mobile counselling clinics to ‘Eua
- 17 mobile counselling talanoa clinics to the Ha’apai group covering: ‘Uiha, Kotu, Lofanga, Mo’unga’one, Ha’ano, Muitoa, Fakakai, Pukotala + 5 communities in Foa and 4 communities in Lifuka.
- Short awareness programs for all community members and not just community leaders (children, youth and leaders)
- 2 member team increase to 11 members (7 members funded under CFLI and 4 members funded under WCCC UNWomen funds) to help with the workload over the 2.5 week period resulting in a total of 19 mobile counselling clinics
Stay Safe Campaign held simultaneously with MCTC
Learn more about the work WCCC is doing on their website and their facebook page