Discussion on The Amendment for Women question at Con-con Review hearing

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An amendment, increasing women's representation, as the American Samoa Constitution does not state as a value the people's commitment to women's inclusion in security and justice, was deliberated during the Constitutional Review Committee hearing last week.

The issue — which is noted as gender inequality — was at the center of discussions in a set of workshops conducted by the Department of Youth and Women Affairs with women between the ages of 18-35, and dealt directly with the Women's amendment to be included in the preamble of the American Samoa constitution.

According to the review, the American Samoa Constitution does not state as a value, the people's commitment to women's inclusion in security and justice.

The general memorandum of the resumption of the constitutional review committee meeting stated the proposed amendment would add such a statement to the preamble with the intention of raising and improving the status of women in American Samoa.

The Director of the Department of Youth and Women Affairs, Dr Salote Auelua-Fanene said during the series of discussions that it was cited that the preamble does not include an inclusive view specifically for women.

"Their interpretations, their feelings and understanding of the preamble —  they claim it doesn't" include women.

"I want to be their voice, so they can be heard as they are not present," said the DYWA director. Adding the women are adamant about their position.

There were over eight sessions on this issue and all the women participants shared the same views.

The women want to see more women represented in the Legislature but they do not support the mandated quota.

"They feel there should be other means for them to be voted into office,” Dr Salote said. “They do not support the quota and want to enter based on their credentials and the support of their family members and constituents.”

"But they do feel like we [women] are lacking security and inclusion in many other areas,” Dr Salote pointed out, noting the increasing violence against women and if it’s written that means the women must be protected.

"They [the women] don't see it and it should be included in the preamble," she said.

CON CON REVIEW HEARING DISCUSSION

"The opportunity for us women to compete in public office is not limited under our constitution, but the proposed change that I accept is the inclusion of women in cultural aspects — as there are villages that ban women from becoming Chiefs," said Tauaisafune Nuuausala at the Constitutional Review Committee hearing last week.

Speaking from her personal experience, Tauaisafune, who is a Chief in her family, said it was a difficult journey she took to become a Chief.

"The complexity of the issue is the mindset that men have that women shouldn't be afforded the opportunity to be a Chief,” she said.

Tauaisafune referenced earlier comments by Tapa'au Dr Dan Aga, emphasizing the Samoan proverb "E au le inailau a tamaitai" which means the women’s row of thatch was completed, referring to the strength of women. She said women will go the extra mile to do what she believes should be done.

Adding that laws should be in place to eliminate the barrier for women to become Chiefs in their respective villages and districts. She believes this is why there is such a small number of women that want to run in the general election.

"The opportunity is there but there is a cultural demise that is holding us [back] and because this thinking is so general among the men, that is the reason why we pull back," said Tauaisafune.

She pointed out that churches are leaning toward acknowledging and allowing women to take leadership roles and to take courses to become church pastors.

"Why is it hard for the villages/ districts to accept us women to become Chiefs?" asked Tauaisafune.

The audience heard that being a woman Chief is a "blessing. Men rely on women for a lot of things as we are the ones that act on what the men need in families and villages. “I accept the inclusion of women on the cultural aspect that women should be more included in the village affairs,” she said.

Regarding justice and security of women, Tauaisafune said laws are already in place to address those issues.

Tofoiatufa Sandra King Young, the American Samoa Medicaid Director addressed the preamble of the Constitution as the philosophy on which it is founded, offering this point of view — "Inserting “the women” into the preamble, I don't agree with.

“I believe inclusion, security, and justice should be afforded to everyone, not just women.

"What about our children, nonresidents, LGBTQ, in what I've seen, I don't feel we should separate the women as a gender in the preamble of the Constitution. Instead, we should say all people,” she stated.

Adding that issues such as safety, and domestic violence against women should be legislated.

"However the equality of all people in American Samoa should be the philosophy written into our Constitution, because it is the highest document that we look for long-standing principles that guide us no matter the changes of time or generations, they are endless; therefore when we talk about equality and opportunity I only want to share [that] the wording of the preamble should be inclusive of everybody," said Tofoiatufa.

The ConCon concluded this past Friday.