Samoa Commemorates International Women's Day
Happy International Women's Day
Photo: Eyespyradio 87.5 FM
Women from around Samoa and from various walks of life gathered at the Taumeasina Island Resort's conference room on Wednesday morning in an event organized by Brown Girl Woke (B.G.W) to celebrate this year's International Women's Day and to also mark the significant roles that women play in the Samoan society.
The International Women's Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
The event was organized by Brown Girl Woke, an initiative that empowers the youth in all levels of schooling in rural areas of Samoa by investing in their education, aspirations and success. The program commenced with activities such as a scavenger hunt organized by B.G.W which helped the participants get acquainted with one another.
There were also keynote speakers invited to convey their experiences about being women leaders in the country. Among them was the current Deputy Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti, who stated that being a woman officer with the Samoa Police Force has its challenges.because it is dominated by men.
"However that did not deter me from reaching my goals and getting to where I am today," said Papalii. One of the important figures the D.C credited her success to was her father, who she described as a feminist who did not discriminate against a person's gender. "My father was a groundsman for Papauta Girls College in Vailima, he was also the electrician, plumber and pretty much the handyman when he was with the school."
"He was a people oriented person, and he inspired me that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it," she stated.
Papalii concluded her address by encouraging the women of Samoa to help bring about gender equality, and also end gender-based violence in Samoa.
One of the participants at the event during an interview with Eyespy Radio, Helena Su'a, stated that she learnt a lot from the initiative which has motivated her as a Samoan woman to achieve her dreams and goals.