Empowering Tongan girls for economic resilience [1]
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - 01:06
Talitha Project launched Tonga Young Women’s Economic Resilience Project, 16 June at Tano’a International Hotel Nuku’alofa.
The project was an Australian initiative implemented by Talitha Project, funded and supported by the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (Australian Aid and Care Australia).
HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala guest of honour, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for their aid and partnership with Talitha Project.
“In Tonga, we aim to improve the development of all areas in life, especially when girls are included. Your work today does not only help the young women in this project, but also the whole of Tonga, and I am honoured to join in the launch.”
“Thank you for your continuous contributions. Thank you Talitha Project for all the works you put into this project.”
Forty five young girls (15 from each of three communities) came from Vaini, Patangata, and St Joseph Community College of Ha’apai, as pioneers of this project in Tonga.
"Women and girls with and without disabilities will strengthen their economic resilience and financial agency through savings clubs and participation in income generating activities (IGA)", stated the Talitha Project,founded by Vanessa Heleta.
The families and communities of these women and girls will be engaged through different forums to shift social norms and promote support for women and girls with and without disabilities in their participation, decision making and leadership in economic activities.
Talitha Project has partnered with CARE since 2018 on gender equality and humanitarian projects, and is being supported through the current round of Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) funding made by the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which is to strengthen gender transformative programming.