This paper offers an overview of the social and economic status of women in Tonga. It documents some of their main roles and responsibilities within the development process and analyses their principal needs, problems and concerns against the backdrop of social and economic trends in the country. The paper discusses the government’s policies and programs in relation to women and gender and outlines the national machinery for women’s affairs. It also includes a summary of selected externally funded women’s projects. Finally, the paper proposes ways in which gender and development issues can be incorporated into the Bank’s operational strategy and country programs for Tonga. It highlights some of the main problem areas that would benefit from Bank interventions and makes recommendations on how it could assist in advancing the status of Tongan women.