𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲

International Women’s Day, which is observed globally every year on March 8th, serves as a significant platform to acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in various spheres of life. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges arising out of gender inequality and advocate for the rights of women. The 2024 global theme, “Count her in: Invest in Women – Accelerate Progress,” emphasizes the critical link between Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and socio-economic development. It is an opportunity to renew our commitments to promote gender equality, empower women, and create a world where every woman can achieve her full potential.

Samoa is a country where women play varied roles, contributing significantly to family and community stability, decision-making processes, economic activities, and community leadership. However, despite their considerable contributions, there are still challenges in Samoa’s approach to economic empowerment of women, as highlighted in the UN Women Gender Country Brief Samoa 2022. Statistical data from 2017 reveals that there are disparities in labor force participation rates, with only 32% of women participating compared to 55% of men. Similarly, youth labor force participation for women is notably lower at 26% compared to men at 38%. The challenges are further evident in the unemployment rates, where women face a rate of 21%, contrasting with 11% for men. Among youth aged 15-24, the unemployment rate for women reaches 30%, compared to 13.3% for men. It’s alarming to note that 41.5% of female youth are not engaged in education, employment, or training, indicating systemic challenges. Additionally, informal employment rates among women are at 21%, slightly lower than men at 22%, suggesting a significant portion of the workforce operates outside formal protections. The official ceremony for International Women’s Day dedicated to commemorating International Women’s Day, is not merely a recognition of women’s achievements but a profound acknowledgment of their indispensable role in Samoa’s development. This was held on Thursday 7th March, 2024 at the MESC Auditorium, Malifa. It is a significant event that recognizes and celebrates the crucial role of women in the country’s development. The ceremony was opened with a service delivered by the Rev. Dr. Eteuati Tuioti the General Secretary of the Methodist Church of Samoa followed by Keynote delivered by the Honorable Minister of MWCSD Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo.

The Ministry the winners of the School Poem competitions for College and Primary School Students with the focus of raising awareness on ending gender based violence ion Samoa. This was followed by panel discussions featuring a diverse range of voices, who explored into different themes: (1) “Empowering Women: Pathways to Inclusive Progress in Samoa” (2) Rural Women and Development: Navigating Pathways to inclusive progress in Samoa (3) Leaders of Tomorrow in the Blue Pacific Empowering Young Women, shaping progress. Particularly, the panels will include the perspectives of rural and young women, broadening the scope of the conversation. The intention to promote inclusivity is commendable, and the live-streamed event will ensure maximal participation and feedback from women and girls.

Panel discussions:

𝟏. “𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧: 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐚”

Moderator: Gatoloai Tili Afamasaga

Panelists:

• Rev Dr. Siaosi Salesulu

• Taulapapa Heather Latu

• Miss Pacific Islands – Moemoana Safaatoa Schwenke

𝟐. 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐚

Moderator: Ana Vaasa Teo

Panelists:

• Galumalemana Lakisa Toelupe

• Fesolai Ruta – Womens Advisory Committee Member

• Leilua Tutogi Mailei

𝟑. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬

Moderator: Miss Pacific Islands – Moemoana Safaatoa Schwenke

Panelists:

• Vaalotu Marjourie Meredith

• Asomualemalama Ari Hazelman

• Moelotooleulalemamae Tiatia

The commemoration of the International Women’s Day continues to the 8th March, 2024 with implementation of the GEDSI training for stakeholders. This training will be a refresher training providing stakeholders with updated GEDSI training to enhance awareness and understanding that will be held at the Tooa Salamasina Hall The Ministry kindly acknowledges the assistance of our development partners, the government of Australia through the Tautua and Tautai program; as well as our UN Counterparts; UNICEF and UNWOMEN for supporting the commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2024.