"The FSM supports greater participation of women in social, political, and economic development. We look to development partners to enhance our investment in ensuring that their potentials are nurtured and realized through quality education, healthcare services, and security measures against domestic violence and gender-based violence.

"As a member of the Human Rights Council and the ECOSOC, we promote justice,peace, democracy ,gender equality, secularism, rule of law, right of minorities and of vulnerable groups."

"Since justice is the basis for empowering people for peace and development, women should have an equal role. To expedite the process of their empowerment, girls are provided free education up to higher secondary school under our New Education Policy. Women are also encouraged to be a part of our national life. Women leadership has been developed from grassroot level to national level.

"Women are the backbone of the family and the bedrock of a nation. They bring life into the world. They sense the cries of an infant. Their instincts are to care for the old, the sick and those in need. Our mothers, sisters and daughters share a core value of caring for others. We need more women leaders."

"Tonga joined other Member States of the Pacific Islands Forum in adopting, as an important part of the PIF Communique this year, a Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration."

"It sets a valuable political platform for investing in empowering and encouraging women and young girls as a vital part of Tongan society and the region's future."

"Should the girl in Aleppo or Benghazi not be able to share the same opportunities, and dreams, and hopes as a boy in Arlington or Birmingham?"

"It is the freedom of a woman to choose when to have children but also when not to have them. It is about her freedom from intrusion, of her physical integrity and right to think and say what she wants."

"It is the freedom that allows mother and child to survive birth."

"It is about the freedom of every man and every woman to organize, to speak out and to have their say when society progresses."

"For us, protecting and promoting human rights is a long-standing domestic commitment as well as a fundamental pillar of our foreign policy. In this vein, we shall continue to pursue the universal abolition of the death penalty, the protection of minorities, the advancement of the status of women, and the free and safe expression of religion or belief."

"Gender equality, democracy, equal treatment under the law, and respect for the environment, to name a few, are all parameters which prevent uncontrolled migration, climate change, religious wars, and ethnic conflicts."

"Furthermore, conflict-related sexual violence requires more attention. Such violence can easily lead to further war crimes and crimes against humanity."