Incidents of wife beating are generally dealt with in traditional ways within families or by village elders. Such abuse is seldom reported to the police. Abused wives sometimes return to their families if mediation fails. Tonga has a male-dominated society, and women generally occupy a subordinate role. For a woman to rise to a position of leadership, she usually needs to have the support of the nobility or to possess exceptional talent.
Some female commoners hold senior leadership positions in business.
The Government has a women's unit in the Prime Minister's office. Still, many young, educated women regard the unit as ineffective. A government-sponsored National Council of Women is making positive contributions. Children The Government is committed to children's human rights and welfare and provides commensurate funding for children's welfare within the context of the total resources available to the State. Child abuse, if it occurs, is rare and has not become a source of concern in a society where the extended family participates in child rearing.