Sophia Vea walks the runway in a dress made from discarded mosquito nets. The 21-year-old was participating for the first time in Miss Galaxy, a beauty pageant for Tonga’s leitis, or trans women.

Tonga's Civil Offences Act criminalises cross dressing and sodomy, with both carrying jail terms of up to 10 years. Ms Mataele said people remained uncomfortable talking about the issue.