KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Prime Minister, Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa (Friday, 7 March 2025, 5.30pm, Chinese Embassy, Vailima)
Lau afioga Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano
Your Excellency Ambassador and Your Good Lady
Distinguished Good Ladies
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Invited Guests,
Talofa and good evening,
I am pleased to join the reception this evening to celebrate “International Women’s Day” an annual event to recognize women’s contribution across all fields, to raise awareness about gender equality and to promote the empowerment of women in all spheres of society.
I want to thank the Ambassador of China, His Excellency Fei Mingxing and Madam Li Wenjun for hosting this reception. It is a significant occasion as it is an opportunity to honour and recognise the role of women in our society and their significant contribution to the development of their families, the government and society as a whole. It also provides a platform to evaluate the national scorecard towards gender equality and to address the disparities that remain.
This year’s theme is a call to accelerate action for all women and girls towards gender equality. It gives emphasis to the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. For Samoa, it is a reminder to us all to make serious commitment to address the stark realities of unequal opportunities, underrepresentation in parliament and the issue of ever-pervasive gender-based violence.
I also understand that 2025 is a pivotal moment in the global pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment, as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations with China. The Beijing Platform remains the most progressive and widely endorsed blueprint for women’s and girls’ rights worldwide. It guides policies, programmes and investment that impact critical areas of our lives, such as: education, health, peace, media, political participation, economic empowerment, and the elimination of violence against women and girls. Addressing these issues, along with emerging priorities around climate justice and the power of digital technologies, is urgent, with just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. So, it is appropriate that we are hosted in the premises of the Chinese embassy to celebrate these milestones.
Much progress has been achieved in advancing the situation of women in Samoa. Parliament though fractured, continues to look at the best way to address the underrepresentation of women in parliament. Women are now leading the governance institutions of a few male dominated sports such as soccer and cricket. There is growing recognition and support of organisations providing services for victims of violence particularly women and children. There is significant movement in developing screening programs for women’s health issues. Development partners are collaborating with the government in initiatives to promote and accelerate the empowerment of women and youth. However, there is much more to be done still.
I note and acknowledge the presence of many of our female leaders from all walks of life this evening. Your achievements and contributions to society has made a huge difference in promoting, empowering and elevating the status of women in society. Women have a place at all levels of our society, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices resonate throughout generations and capture attention. I would like to share with you one Samoan adage that I believe suitably defines the ambience of this evening which is; “E au le Ina’ilau a tamaitai”. It speaks about women in our society having the determination and fortitude to achieve excellence in whatever they set out to do.
Samoa’s delegation is attending the 69th Commission on the Status of Women that will bring together countries to New York for the next two weeks to review and assess the current challenges that affect the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Excellencies and Ladies,
Tonight’s reception is one of the many undertakings that we share with the Embassy of China to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Samoa and China’s strong friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975. The unveiling of the Commemorative Logo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our partnership adds prominence to this evening’s celebrations.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in proposing a toast:
“To all the women and girls of Samoa and those present here this evening, I wish you all a Happy International Women’s Day.”
Soifua.
Photo by the Government of Samoa (Leota Marc Membrere)
