Tonga will celebrate International Women's Day this year on March 13, with a programme of events on the theme: "Investing in Women and Girls - Valuing Women's Work."

The programme will involve hundreds of women, with the main events to be held during the day at the Sofele Kakala Hall, Ma'ufanga, including a fashion show, along with an exhibition of women's work, and competitions.

The programme is facilitated by the Women Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Education, Women's Affairs and Culture, and presented with the support of sponsors.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China has donated $1,000 towards the Women's Day programme. This morning a cheque was presented by First Secretary, Huang Yue Guo, to Tonga's Director of Education, Viliami Fukofuka, and members of the IWD Planning Committee.

Polotu Fakafanua Paunga, the deputy director of Women's Affairs, said the IWD Planning Committee was very grateful for the donation from the Chinese Embassy.

The Australian High Commissioner has also pledged a donation.

Polotu said the programme is still seeking donations from sponsors for such things as prizes for the competitions and for meeting the expenses of televising the event and for setting up the exhibitions and meeting the venue expenses.

"The sponsor may choose which part of the programme they would like to contribute to," she said. "Tonga's celebration of International Women's Day is only three weeks away so we are hoping to finalise our activities soon. Sponsors will be recognised."

The Tonga IWD planning committee is supported by Tongan women's groups including the Langafonua 'a Fafine, the Catholic Women's League, the FWC Women's Dept., the Tonga Young Women for Change, and MEWAC, as well as the Tonga National Youth Congress, University of the South Pacific Director, the Australian High Commission, Westpac Bank of Tonga, Vava'u Press Ltd., and the Tonga Communications Corporation.