Samoa commenced its engagement at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at the United Nations in New York with a contribution to the Ministerial Roundtable on “Access to Justice for All Women and Girls: Enablers and Barriers.”
Speaking on behalf of Samoa, Afioga Tilafono David Joseph Hunter, Associate Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, delivered Samoa’s national intervention, highlighting the country’s commitment to strengthening justice systems that reach not only national institutions but also the villages and communities where women and families live.
Over 50 countries delivered statements during the
Ministerial Roundtable, sharing national experiences and solutions to strengthen access to justice for women and girls globally.
In his intervention, the Associate Minister emphasized Samoa’s community-centred approach to justice, combining legislation, traditional leadership, and community governance.
“Samoa recognises that justice must not only exist within courts and national institutions, but must also be accessible within the villages and communities where women live and where decisions affecting families are made.”
Samoa highlighted several key national measures supporting access to justice, including the Family Safety Act 2013, which provides protection orders and coordinated responses from police, courts and social services for survivors of domestic violence.
The intervention also emphasized Samoa’s District Development Programme, which allocates 20 percent of district development funding to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) initiatives.
This investment approximately 10.2 million Tala annually supports community led initiatives that strengthen violence prevention, inclusive participation, and safer communities across districts.
Samoa also highlighted the role of the Village Representatives Programme, where each village has both a female and male representative who serve as trusted focal points connecting individuals and families to government services.
Through collaboration with traditional leaders, village councils, civil society organisations, and community advocates.
Samoa continues to strengthen awareness, prevention initiatives, and support systems for women and girls.
These partnerships also help extend services beyond formal institutions by providing:
– Legal awareness and legal aid support
– Psychosocial support for survivors of violence
– Specialised support for minors, children, and persons with disabilities.
Through these ollective efforts, Samoa continues to strengthen a whole-of-society response to preventing violence and promoting justice for women and girls.
“Through strengthened legal frameworks, sustained district-level investment, collaboration with traditional leaders and civil society, and expanded legal awareness in communities, Samoa continues to advance a justice system where no woman or girl is left behind.”
The Associate Minister was accompanied by Loau Donina Tili Vaa, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development; Ana Leauvasā, Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Economic Empowerment; Sylvan Fa’afetai Elisara, Principal Communications Officer and Tau Jurgen Kappus, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission Samoa to UN.
The remaining members of Samoa’s delegation are expected to arrive later this evening to join the official programme of engagements at CSW70.
Samoa will continue its participation through bilateral meetings, high-level dialogues, and Samoa’s national side event:
“Sailigamalo a Tina ma Tamaitai o Samoa – Resilient Spirit.”
Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development
