One Year of Pola Puipui: Advancing Capacity, Strengthening Systems, and Paving the Way for Prevention Against Gender-Based Violence
Co-authored by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) and UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office
A powerful Pola Puipui Prevention Talanoa was held on Thursday 4 December 2025 during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, led by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development with support from UN Women, uniting leaders and advocates in Samoa’s ongoing fight to end gender-based violence. Photo: UN Women/Jordanna Mareko
At a Glance – Pola Puipui Year One Highlights
- 100% of MWCSD staff trained in gender-based violence (GBV)
- 20 Sector Gender Focal Points trained in GBV
- 40 village-based staff trained in GBV
- Specialist staff received advanced prevention and essential services training
- Market staff engaged through tailored GBV and safety trainings
- GBV National Prevention Coordinator and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Lead positions established
- National behaviour change campaign in development for rollout in 2026
Strategic Investment Propels Pola Puipui Forward
Significant progress is underway in implementing the Pola Puipui National Prevention Framework for Ending Gender-Based Violence, Samoa’s national framework dedicated to preventing violence before it occurs. The framework was officially launched during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), signalling strong national leadership and commitment.
MWCSD, leading implementation efforts, has finalised the Action Plan, budget, and strategic approach, with support from UN Women through the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Pacific Partnership), funded primary by the Government of Australia, and the European Union (EU), and coordinated by UN Women and SPC, in strategic partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum.
Over the next three years, Samoa will continue to focus on:
- Institutional and workforce strengthening
- Capacity enhancement across government and communities
- Improved service delivery
- A national shift toward primary prevention, beginning with a media campaign to influence harmful social norms
“Our faith grounds us, our culture guides us, and our shared responsibility strengthens us. Pola
Puipui is a reminder that preventing violence is not the work of one ministry alone — it is the work of an entire nation. Year One has laid the foundation for a Samoa where protection is collective, and prevention is our everyday way of life.” — Loau Donina Va’a, Chief Executive Officer, MWCSD
A Year of Capacity and Capability Strengthening
The first year of implementation focused on strengthening the Ministry and key partners to carry out sustainable, evidence-based prevention and response efforts.
In February 2025, MWCSD and UN Women deployed the Survivor-Centred Attitude Scale to assess internal attitudes and beliefs about GBV. While many staff demonstrated empathy and survivor- centred understanding, the results reflected persistent norms that excuse perpetrator behaviour or shift responsibility to survivors.
In response, a comprehensive capacity development plan was developed.
MWCSD Workforce Training
- In July 2025, UN Women supported delivery of GBV training to 65 MWCSD
- Training covered types of violence, root causes, impacts, healing pathways, and practical ways to support survivors.
- Momentum from this training led to every MWCSD staff member completing GBV 101 during the 2025 16 Days of Activism.
Certificates were awarded to all participants—signifying a Ministry fully committed to survivor- centred, prevention-driven leadership.
- “What I’ve learned today will not stay in this training room I’ll carry it into my daily life and work by choosing faaaloalo, faasoa and fetausia’i to help make every space safer.” —Mercy Talisau, Employment Officer
- “The GBV 101 training has significantly broadened my knowledge and understanding… the absence of certain types of violence in legislation does not mean it does not ” — Luisa Lemisio, Principal Child Protection & Case Management
Extending Capacity Beyond the Ministry
In November 2025, UN Women and MWCSD expanded GBV training through the Markets for Change (M4C) initiative. Market management teams from three major markets and staff from key ministries participated in sessions facilitated by the newly appointed GBV National Prevention Coordinator.
Training focused on:
- Understanding GBV
- Creating safer market environments
- Integrating protection principles into everyday community interactions By equipping market leaders—central figures in Samoan social and economic life—the programme strengthens community-level prevention pathways.
Building Leadership and Institutional Strength
Two new leadership positions have significantly accelerated the implementation of Pola Puipui:
- GBV National Prevention Coordinator
- Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Lead
These roles ensure sustained coordination, inclusivity, and translation of national policy into village- level impact.
“Having dedicated leadership within the Ministry ensures continuity, coordination, and the ability to translate national strategy into local impact.” — Loau Donina Va’a, Chief Executive Officer, MWCSD
Looking Ahead: Turning Capacity into Prevention
With stronger systems, workforce capability, and leadership in place, Samoa is now positioned to deepen its focus on primary prevention.
A nationwide behaviour change campaign is currently in development, expected to launch in late 2025 or early 2026. This campaign will be part of a broader national prevention agenda aiming to shift harmful attitudes and behaviours that drive GBV.
“Year One focused on strengthening our capacity to act and support. The next will focus on using that capacity to drive prevention—changing the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to persist.” – Loau Donina Va’a, Chief Executive Officer, MWCSD
A Shared Path Forward
The first year of Pola Puipui has demonstrated:
- Strong national leadership
- Effective partner coordination
- Deep investment in institutional and community capacity
Youth voices also played a critical role in Year One. Through a GBV Prevention Talanoa held with 15 youth groups in Savai‘i, young people emphasised the importance of safe spaces to discuss violence, healthy relationships, faith, culture, and their role in prevention. Their feedback was unanimous:
“This must continue”
A Youth Talanoa on Men Rise was held on Tuesday 25th November 2025 during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, led by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development with support from UN Women, uniting youth leaders and male allies that advocates for gender equality in Samoa’s ongoing fight to end gender-based violence. Photo: UN Women/Sylvan Faafetai Elisara
The Youth Talanoa on Men Rise, With and For Women to End Violence demonstrated that prevention efforts resonate deeply when grounded in honesty, culture, and real-life experiences. These insights will directly inform Year Two community mobilization.
As Samoa moves into Year Two, the emphasis will expand from institution-building to community mobilisation, bringing the vision of a violence-free Samoa closer to reality.
UN Women Representative Alison Davidian notes: “Samoa is among the first countries in the world to adopt a national framework singularly focused on preventing violence. It’s inspiring to see Pola Puipui now truly coming to life. The Ministry’s leadership in strengthening systems, investing in its workforce and prioritising prevention sends a powerful signal of what is possible when governments lead with courage and vision. Through the Pacific Partnership with Australia and the European Union, UN Women is proud to stand with Samoa on this whole-of-government journey to end violence against women and girls.”
The foundation is now firmly set. Pola Puipui is shifting from policy to practice—anchored in faith, culture, evidence, and collective responsibility.