The contribution of mothers and women in Samoa was celebrated and recognised at an International Women’s Day event hosted by the Embassy of China last weekend. The Honorable Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa delivered the keynote address.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Ambassador of China to Samoa, Mr. Fei Mingxing, and his wife Mrs. Li Wenjun for hosting the evening. The event was attended by Masiofo Fa’amausili Leinafo Tuimaleali’ifano, heads of various government ministries, businesswomen, and women who had received scholarships to study in China.
The gathering acknowledged women’s participation in the workforce, families, churches, and the country, as Fiame recognised their contributions across all sectors.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the occasion provided an opportunity to review ongoing challenges related to gender equality. She called for a renewed focus on finding solutions to persistent inequalities in Samoan services and urged the elimination of discrimination and bias based on traditional gender roles. She noted the existence of ongoing programs aimed at addressing these challenges.
In addition, she stated that the Samoan government, in partnership with development partners, was implementing programs to promote the recognition, acknowledgment, and respect of mothers, women, youth, and children across all Samoan services, concluding with the proverb,
“Because ‘The strength of mothers prevails.'”
Following the Prime Minister’s speech, the Ambassador of China to Samoa acknowledged the contributions of mothers and women to the country’s economic development through their professional roles, and concluded by extending best wishes for a happy special day to all mothers, women, and girls.”
Original text in Samoan by Savali Newspaper
