Samoa Gender Partnership Programme launched
Samoa and Australia have launched the “Samoa Gender Partnership Programme” which is a key initiative of the “Tautua Human Development For All” partnership.
The Tautua Human Development For All is a new eight year partnership between the Australian Government and the Government of Samoa.
The Samoa Gender Partnership Programme delivers support to civil society organisations.
The partnership was launched at the Tooa Salamasina Hall on Thursday morning and was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Samoa Emily Luck, Minister of Women Community and Social Development Leota Laki Lamositele-Sio, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Samoa Simona Marinescu, and the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.) Dr. Mema Motusaga.
In her address on Thursday, Ms. Luck said that Australia is committed to working in partnership with Samoa to tackle some of the countries most human critical development challenges.
She said that Samoan women have a key role to play in Samoa’s recovery from COVID-19.
“As Samoa continues to chart a course in recovery from the challenges of COVID-19 we know that women and girls, their status, their participation, their education, their safety will be a vital part in that recovery,” Ms. Luck said.
“The Samoa Gender Partnership programme is an important part of Tautua's work across the country, working with civil society organisations and the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development, the Samoa Gender partnership programme will help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on women's livelihoods and safety.
“We are pleased to announce that four civil society partners have already signed grant agreements.”
In his address on Thursday, Leota stated that the pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us but its impacts are especially felt by our vulnerable populations.
“Earlier this year, our Government launched Samoa's five year National Plan, The Pathway for the development of Samoa which provided a blueprint for how we can empower communities, prioritise human and social development and achieve social harmony,” Leota said.
He explained that the partnership launched on Thursday has an important role to play in the months ahead as four civil society partners have already signed grant contracts and he looks forward to seeing the outcome they deliver for women and girls across Samoa.
“I would like to propose to the Australian Government to consider the expanasion of this programme to include community organisations through the District Development Programme. This should be part of our inclusive development process especially the empowerment of women,” he said.