In celebration of the International Day of Rural Women, the Minister of Women Community and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, said this is the second year Samoa has joined this global initiative, which focuses on the role of women in families, churches and villages.
Australia’s Ambassador to Samoa, Emily Luck, acknowledges traditional custodians of Samoa’s lands and water, especially noting women’s particular role in this regard. She also noted the Samoan culture and the people’s deep commitment in looking after their natural heritage.
Ms Luck recognized the importance of partnerships and collaboration in creating opportunities and addressing shared challenges and commended Australia’s partners for their commitment to working shoulder-to-shoulder for a better tomorrow to benefit the communities they serve. Furthermore, she acknowledged the indispensable role that women and girls play in our societies.
They form the backbone of our communities, making invaluable contributions to our nations. This holds true not only for Samoa and Australia but also globally. This year’s theme recognizes women and girls’ crucial role in our food systems, particularly those from rural villages.
There is no better evidence of this in Samoa than when we look at Samoa’s marketplaces, including Fugalei, Salelologa, and Savalalo markets.
There are over 1,500 vendors that frequent these markets in Savaii and Upolu. Eighty percent of these vendors are women.
Through UN Women’s Markets for Change, Australia is investing in strengthening the economic opportunities of all market vendors in Samoa.
Part of that investment is improving access to services in the marketplace and strengthening market infrastructure, ensuring these spaces are safer, greener, and more inclusive for both vendors and buyers.
Together with the Government of New Zealand and UN Women, they are pleased to support the handover of equipment and items valued at 4.1 million tala – some of which you can see – ensuring Fugalei, Salelologa and Savalalo markets are thriving hubs of commerce. For safer and greener markets, these items include chairs, tables, security cameras, PA systems, first aid boxes, bins, cleaning equipment, and solar lights. For more inclusive markets, we are also looking at ramps for more diverse access.
Samoa’s marketplaces aren’t just spaces for commerce. They are also hubs of community, culture, and connection. When we invest in these marketplaces, we also strengthen the fabric of Samoa’s societies.
They know sound data is critical for informed policy and decision-making. To that end, we are also pleased to support the handover of IT equipment to the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development through UN Women.
This equipment will strengthen the ministry’s data collection and research capabilities, ensuring their work can be targeted to where its most needed.
This investment aligns with the Samoan Government’s ‘Pathway for the Development of Samoa’ and its broad goal of healthy and thriving people and communities.
