DYWA kicks off program encouraging Samoan women to take ownership of their power

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Encouraging American Samoan women to acknowledge the importance of their roles in family, village, church and government is the theme of a program promoting women’s empowerment called, “Toe Timata le Upega” — promoted by the Women’s Division of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA). It is currently underway, and kicked off with a church service held last Sunday.

Held at the Alao Finagalo Paia Catholic Church, the church service was hosted by the DYWA. The prayer service was led by Rev. Father Andy A. Wilson.

It was well attended and included Gov. Lemanu Sialega Peleti Mauga and First Lady Ella Perefoti-Mauga — who was also the keynote speaker — along with Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale and his wife, Marian McGuire Ale, government officials as well as women who will be participating in the program. A sign-up sheet was also available at the service.

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga with First Lady Elia Perefoti Mauga, along with Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale and his wife Marian Tiare McGuire Ale, government officials, families and friends took part in the prayer service to kick-off a DYWA program — to empower women in American Samoa. [photo by AF]

In her keynote remarks, Perefoti-Mauga encouraged all women of American Samoa to step up and take advantage of the opportunities to learn more about who they are and what their roles are — as women in the community.

Dr. Salote Aoelua Fanene, the director for the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) in her special remarks thanked all women for fulfilling their role as mothers of the community.

DYWA Women’s Coordinator, Justine Godinet said during an interview with Samoa News that “the main goal is to encourage women of American Samoa to remember their role in the family, village and church.

“Women should remember that they have a huge role to play in the community, the government and the whole country,” she stated.

According to Godinet, DYWA will be providing several programs for women to help equip themselves in their community roles. The programs encompass services, including workshops, provided either at the DYWA main office in Pago Pago and Tafuna or at churches or village locations for those who can’t attend due to their work hours.

One of the areas of women’s empowerment was highlighted by Theresa Faasele, 57, a participant in the program. She told Samoa News of the changing attitudes in the community towards the faa-Samoa by pointing out that certain women in American Samoa have been obligated to live a role that limits them — preventing them from achieving what they are capable of.

“If a Samoan woman opts to marry outside of the village she grew up in, she is given the title of “nofotane”, which means “to stay or live with the husband”. Nofotane women tend to be disrespected, including being denied having a voice in matters regarding their own community and enduring domestic abuse from men,” she said.

Faasele believes the community has become more open and accepting by moving its mindset towards greater gender equality. She pointed out that as a result of women’s empowerment in the territory, a nofotane representative in now being allowed to have a voice in village council meetings.

She believes women’s empowerment is coming of age in American Samoa as more women assert their rights and independence.

Elizabeth Filomena, another program participant, said that empowering women and girls is good for development — and in order for the government to get things moving and working in a Samoan village, the women’s committees have to be involved. 

She said that gender equality is a moral imperative whether you’re in government, business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or research institutions — it’s simply the ‘right thing to do’.

“Gender bias is still deeply embedded in cultures, economies, political and social institutions around the world. Women and girls face unacceptable levels of discrimination and abuse, which is not only wrong, but also prevents them from playing a full part in society and decision-making,” says Filomena.

She said that one of the issues that needs to be eliminated is all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.

“Despite the advancement of women in the political and professional level, there continues to be discrimination at the family and village level that hinders progress.”

Women signing-in as they entered the Alao Finagalo Paia Catholic Church last Sunday to take part in the prayer service to promote a Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) program to empower women in the territory. The prayer service was hosted by DYWA. [photo by AF]

Last year, women attending the American Samoa Businesses and Professional Women’s conference were encouraged to get businesses in their communities and to adopt the Women Empowerment Principles.

Developed through a partnership between the United Nations Global Compact and UN Women, the principles are designed to support companies in reviewing existing policies and practices or establishing new ones to realize women's empowerment.

The principles include establishing high-level corporate leadership for gender equality; treating all women and men fairly at work, respecting and supporting human rights and nondiscrimination.

The principles also ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers, promote education, training and professional development for women, and measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

The principles offer a way of increasing the financial bottom line of a business and it's something businesses can adopt.