#OPINION: WOMENS RIGHTS / POLITICAL WRONGS

By Va'ai Nah Folasa 

DISCLOSURE

I must state at the outset that I wear two hats when discussing this issue.

Firstly and above all I am an advocate for womens rights. I support and promote gender equality. As founder and President of the Logo Puialii Samoa Youth Group (LYG) I am mandated to press for women's freedoms and rights and to prevent harassment, abuse and violence in all its forms at all times.

Secondly I am a reporter/ journalist and am bound to report the facts truthfully, ethically and in a timely manner. I see no conflict with my dual role.

Having recently witnessed my female cousin be a victim of harrassment to the point where she resorted to suicide you will forgive me for being both passionate about this issue and sceptical about funded support.

THE MARCH

A march was called for this afternoon to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and freedom from abuse.  

A truly noble cause for which I personally support 100%.

THE MEDIA 

The timing of the march has been triggered by remarks attributed to Laauli Schmidt from FAST.  The caretaker Prime Minister (Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi) has accused him of promoting sexual abuse. Consequently he (the caretaker PM) has rallied women and even gathered support from the United Nations.

However, it would appear that Laauli was not simply misquoted but totally re-scripted by the caretaker Prime Minister and a (female) TV3 reporter.

Laauli spoke on media about the fake news being spread by the HRPP.  His comments referred to an email allegedly sent by Fiame regarding the sitting of the 26 FAST seats in parliament. Laauli stated that there was no such email and the entire incident was made up with the intent of causing harm (to FAST). He went on to say that you know what happens to those who spread lies with the intent to harm.  There will come a time when they "will be brought out into the open field with the floodlights turned on and the untitled men ... decide what to do with them".  

Not once did Laauli refer to women or girls in his presentation. He did later refer to the fake Facebook page of "Teine Samoa" as just that - Fake! His references were respectful and culturally appropriate. 

So who has the perverted mind to make the fictitious leap and turn this script into an expression of sexual harassment?

The fact that some of the media did not seize upon this issue (a fact later criticised by the caretaker Prime Minister) perhaps illustrates that some media did check the facts and found them wanting.

-

THE REALITY 

The women's march is seen by many as a cruel manipulation of an extremely sensitive issue, dragged into a public forum for the sole purpose of political gain. Just like the well intentioned march seeking the installment of the 6th woman seat in parliament.  It has little to do with empowering women and all to do with creating a political stalemate. 

If this issue had arisen at any other time it would not have warranted more than a few lines or a snippet of media attention. Had it been fact-checked it would never have been reported in the first place. 

It is easy to create a frenzy and whip up media attention on this issue because the whole concept of women's rights, the fight against violence and abuse towards women and the quest for equality is very real. 

Unfortunately the catalyst for this afternoon's march is not as real as the issue itself.

No one marched for the victims, predominantly children, of the measles epidemic. No one even batted an eyelid when the caretaker Prime Minister blamed the mother's ignorance as the cause of their death. And no apology was given nor Inquiry called. 

No one marched when the caretaker Prime Minister told Fiame as elected head of the FAST Party to come and bow before him. Is ritualistic chauvinism and female subservience now selectively acceptable? 

No one has marched against the ongoing cases of rape, incest, beatings, abuse, harassment and domestic violence against women and children. Check the Court listings and see the depth of this depravity which is now so common as to barely warrant mention. Are we so numb to be immune and have no compassion any more?

Without mentioning names recent events in Samoa records a woman shot in the face by her partner, a woman hanged by her husband and another killed by her husband at a service station. Where is the outpouring of support or grief. 

Where is the concern for the four women who have disappeared and warrants have been issued for their arrest because they dared to vote for a woman candidate? They were to present evidence of corruption/ bribery and treating against the successful candidate but have since disappeared.  Where is the public outcry that they have to go into hiding for supporting a fellow woman candidate?

Why are there more restrictions on women becoming matai and gaining respect at the village level and national government?

Regardkess of political persuasion,  where are the women marching to support Fiame Naomi Mataafa whose FAST Party won the electoral ballot and who should be sitting as Samoa's first woman PM?

Where are the good women and men of this country?

THE FUTURE

Regretfully it would appear that the march this afternoon is nothing more than another political stunt. A political beat-up. It makes a mockery of the real challenges to women and the issues which confront them every single day. 

The march is yet another example of abuse of power and the ongoing abuse and disrespect of women.  It has nothing to do with furthering the cause or empowering of women. It is only about retaining political stature - again at the expense of women generally.  The outcome is purely divisive and is totally politically motivated.

You have been conned. 

Stand up for womens rights AND NOT be a political puppet!

 Unfortunately and most disturbing is that the HRPP and its supporters have not only been conned but they have collectively hijacked the whole women's movement. 

Putting on my LYG hat, these recent events and the proposed march this afternoon make our job more difficult. The abuse of women and children will continue while the motivation remains political empowerment and not genuine social reform.

-

Va'ai Nah Folasa is a journalist for EyeSpy Radio in Samoa