Orange Day, 25 June, was marked in Tonga with a luncheon at Davina House hosted by the Talitha Project.

The day marks the UN Secretary-General's call to UNiTE to End Violence against Women and Girls.

Vanessa Heleta, the director of the Talitha Project said that the Orange Day has been marked since 2012, but it was for the first time in Tonga yesterday.

The monthly Orange Day celebration highlights the campaign to end violence against women and girls and it compliments the White Ribbon Day, 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Vanessa highlighted the work of the Talitha Project, a Non-Government Organisation for young women between the ages of 12-25 years. It aims to give young women and girls an opportunity to have a voice and make informed choices.

Yesterday's event was a partnership between the Talitha Project and the Women's Affairs Division on the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The keynote speaker was the Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly, Lord Fakafanua, at the luncheon attended by foreign diplomats, members of parliament and representatives from various women organizations.