The leaders of Toamua have pledged to be role models in maintaining a violence-free village, where its people will live in peace and harmony. This pledge was made during the Community Day hosted by Toamua as part of the UNESCO Spotlight Initiative. Traditional performing arts were used as a channel for creative expression to raise awareness about the importance of ending domestic violence and intimate partner violence.
“In support of the ‘My Village My Pride’ Project carried out by the Samoa Victim Support Group and UNESCO, Toamua pledges tonight to remain a violence-free village where its people will live in peace and harmony,” stated Ale Vena Ale, High Chief and Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Faleata Number 4.
According to Vagana Ale Komiti, one of the participants of the Toamua Community Day, “There was a sense of peace around us as we heard the pledge made by the Member of Parliament on behalf of our village. It was a transformative moment, especially given the many incidents of violence in Toamua. The pledge engaged the whole village in the process of becoming aware of violence and being responsible for our actions.”
This pledge by Toamua and its leaders coincided with the eve of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from 25 November to 10 December 2023. The global theme for this year is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”
The investment from Toamua and its leaders is clear. It represents an investment in its people, to enhance their understanding of violence and to be responsible for maintaining violence-free families and communities.
Ms. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Director of the UNESCO Office in Samoa, who participated in the Toamua Community Day, emphasised the importance of community engagement in the Spotlight Initiative. She highlighted the healing power of art, expressing hope that the arts showcased in Toamua’s performance arts awareness and the pledge by its leaders, would serve to unify and heal societal wounds. She reiterated a Samoan proverb, saying, ‘E fofo e le Alamea le alamea’, which translates to ‘The solutions to our issues lie within our communities’.
“For this year’s 16 Days of Activism, we stand in solidarity with women in Samoa and around the world to amplify the call for a world free from violence against women and girls. Localising the actions, progress, and momentum ensures that the solidarity movement is not only relevant but also inclusive. Thank you to the leaders of Toamua for their bold commitment towards a violence-free community,” said Siliniu Lina Chang, SVSG President.
