A talent competition for the International Human Rights Day 2016 theme, "Stand Up for Someone's Rights Today" was held last week in Nuku'alofa, as part of a 16-days of activism campaign to end gender-based violence.

'Onakoula Lasike (16) from Nukunuku won $500 for her poem entitled 'What’s my Crime?'. The poem on the rights of girls, express how being a girl in Tonga means being discriminated against, while her brothers get all the freedom and the rights to land.

The competition for girls, that included dances and singing, attracted entries from 13 groups and individuals.

Vanessa Heleta, founder of Talitha Project said each person had a powerful story to tell and advocated for a particular right using words, art, hip hop dance, Tongan dances or singing to get their messages across. A netball group chanted about the rights of elderly people, while two young girls did a drawing on the importance to recognize the rights of orphans.

"One girl did a poem about bullying of fat people, while another wrote a poem on the rights of girls, how being a girl in Tonga is being discriminated and her brothers get all the freedom and the rights to land. The title of her poem was 'What’s my Crime?', which was powerful and she won."

One girl performed a Milolua, and spoke on the right to live a life free from violence. 

A girl who came from 'Eua to attend, joined in the performance by singing and dancing about peace and justice.

“We are very proud of them and it was very emotional and beyond our expectations,” said Vanessa.

The program was funded by UN Women and Australian Aid.

Winners

1. 'Onakoula Lasike (16) from Nukunuku $500   

2. Sialata Fo'ou, Netball team from Ha’ateiho $300

3. Pelenaise 'Aliki , (12) from Tu'atakilangi $200

4. Together as One Girls, $100

5. Susana Manu, (14) $50