Samoa’s Chief Executive Officer for Women, Community, and Social Development, Loau Donina Va’a, recently addressed Commonwealth delegations at the United Nations’ 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) meeting, emphasizing Samoa’s role in advancing gender equality. She described the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Apia last October as a pivotal moment for advocating gender equality, highlighting the collaborative efforts that emerged from this gathering.
Loau is part of a seven-member delegation to CSW69, led by Minister for Women, Community, and Social Development, Laga’ia Tufuga. Her presentation focused on the achievements made during Samoa’s host of significant events like the Commonwealth Women’s Forum (CWF), which facilitated over 400 delegates from 56 Commonwealth nations to discuss global gender issues. Loau underscored how these gatherings fostered unity in advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion in the Pacific.
Samoa has demonstrated proactive leadership in the gender equality movement. It established a national taskforce consisting of 20 women leaders from various sectors to engage in regional dialogue, reinforcing the commitment to gender-responsive financing. According to Loau, 20% of Samoa’s annual budget is now allocated to support women-led initiatives, a significant step towards institutionalizing gender equality.
A noteworthy highlight of the CHOGM was the Manaia Market, which showcased women entrepreneurs, symbolizing resilience and innovation in local businesses. Loau remarked, “Samoa didn’t just host the CWF—we built connections, strengthened solidarity, and set a blueprint for a more inclusive and equal future.”
Minister Tufuga echoed this sentiment, calling for respect and understanding to tackle societal issues while uplifted by the support received during these events. He stressed the critical duty of men as champions for gender justice.
As Samoa looks forward to ongoing discussions at CSW69, Loau reiterated that collaboration must be the driving force behind solutions for gender equality. She called for leadership to view gender equity as a priority and urged for commitment to tangible results.
These developments are a source of hope for the future of gender equality in Samoa and the broader Pacific region. With a solid foundation of collaboration and proactive measures in place, Samoa is setting an encouraging example for other nations to follow in advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
Comment: The emphasis on collaboration and community engagement in Samoa presents a strong model for other Pacific nations facing similar challenges in gender equality. The steps being taken may inspire broader movements across the region that focus on inclusive policies, making this a hopeful narrative in the global gender discussion.
Leave a comment