 |
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2002
What
are we doing to improve the lives of women and families?
Speech by
Leatuolevao Ruby Vaa
I should like to consider the title given
to me to speak on. One might say that this title implies that there is a need
to improve the lives of women and families. This can be argued against since
there is a perception that all is well in Samoa and that there is no problem
with the lives of women. Indeed, one might argue that since our culture
places women in a special (revered) niche, there is no need to look for
improvement in the lives of women and families. But if we take "families" as
the operative word in the title, we would first have to look at the concept of
"family" which refers to the "extended family" in Samoan society in contrast to
the "nuclear family" in the Palagi (western) society. If this is so, then we
need to take "women" and "families" together since in our culture, women have a
an undisputed leading role in the family. Indeed, it's my view that women are
the families. They are the backbone and the managers of any family. They hold
families together, ensure their peaceful coexistence, and catalyse development.
I remember as a child, hearing the old ladies say when a baby girl was born
"Thankfully it is a girl - girls give strength to the family and keep families
together". Hence our title should say" What are we doing to further
improve the lives of women and families [in Samoa]?
(Women's
role in the family in Samoan society)
If we consider the role of women in
the family, it would be useful to look at the term used for woman or women:
tama'ita'i. I am no linguist but it seems to me that there are three
parts to this term: tama - i - ta'i. Would the 3rd part be there to mean
"leading" or "leader" given the term "tama-tama" refers to a baby
(child) boy, and "tama-teine" is a baby (child) girl, and so tama-i-ta'i
might mean a child/baby who leads? Two other terms used to refer to women are
questioned by some: "faletua" - wife of a high chief (alii) and
"tausi" - wife of a talking chief (tulafale). There are the views
expressed that these terms could be derogatory in that "faletua" might
refer to someone likened to a house (fale) at the back (i tua)
while "tausi" might refer to someone who is there just to look after
(tausi) her husband. It is my view that this is taking a negative view.
A more positive meaning for these terms would be: faletua could be
someone who was the strong house upon which the high chief would depend or
rely, while tausi was the person who would be the caretaker or keeper of
the wealth of information and oratory knowledge of the talking chief. This way,
we can consider the vital role played by women in Samoan society.
Today
is a day of Celebration! What is it that we are celebrating? Should we
celebrate? What is there to celebrate?
In my view, yes we should
celebrate. It is fitting that we gather to celebrate the status of women in
Samoa. I have no doubt that Samoan women have progressed and that this is
reflected in the development of our families. However, I hope that it is not
just women who are celebrating but that all of Samoa are celebrating with us
and that the contribution of women to Samoan society is acknowledged by all.
Above all, I trust that we shall not just think and talk about this day, but
that we take this opportunity to take further action to further improve the
lives of women and families.
I expect most if not all of you are aware
of the report by the Ministry of Women for the Beijing conference On women, in
1995. In that report, it was documented that women in Samoa had done well in
many areas, especially in Education particularly in the upper levels of high
schools and universities. However, in other areas e.g. the work force, it was
noted that women still make up the majority of the lower level or junior posts
such as typists, clerks, secretaries. That is, there was a scarcity of women at
the management levels.
In recent years however, the equal opportunity
Act has ensured changes and there has certainly been a noticeable increase in
women at management levels: the Attorney General is a woman, as well as many
senior government managers, business houses, and other organisations. There has
been a tremendous increase in women graduates. One could therefore conclude
that women of Samoa have achieved well, and we should celebrate.
It is
true that women have achieved well especially in education, the proportion of
women graduates has risen greatly, and women managers have increased. It is
true that education for women is the door to progress, ensuring access to paid
employment, increasing their earning capacity, allowing control over fertility,
and provides women with choices. And if we think about the well used phrase
"you educate a woman you educate a nation", we could say that Samoa is well on
the way to achieving that milestone. But, what of women's rights? What of a
woman's right to choose what she wants for herself and her well
being?
It is my personal vision that education leads to the empowerment
of women. Education increases options for women. Education will ensure that
women will be able to make choices on what is appropriate for them. As another
saying goes "If it's not appropriate for women it's not appropriate." It is
fair to say therefore, that education will result in women wanting and choosing
what they feel is their right. Inevitably, this will result in a better
society.
Some say that the concept of "human rights" is a foreign import
and that it acts against our (Samoan) culture. Could we not take this concept
in the same way that we have taken other imports? I am certain that all of us
here own a car, live in a European house, are wearing shoes and eat at a table?
Perhaps many of you have watched the current television programme on Consumer
Rights and have benefited from the information presented. It is my view that we
could take the concept of human rights and use appropriate aspects for our
progress and that of our society. We need to consider the concept of women's
rights and see if there is a way or ways which is/are appropriate for us here
in Samoa. It is crucial that we do not lose sight of the importance of women's
rights in certain areas or we may miss aspects that will enhance the lives of
women and families.
A CHALLENGE
Fellow representatives of NGOs, I
feel we should examine WHAT we are doing to further improve the lives of women.
We should also ask ourselves: HOW are we helping? No doubt there are countless
ways in which we can take action. For instance, the Samoa Association of Women
Graduates (SAWG) in their focus on education, is undertaking a dictionary
project and has established a scholarship for a woman to read for a degree at
NUS; Women in Business has helped tremendously in setting up small businesses
for women and assisted in the marketing of women's handicrafts; the National
Council of Women was instrumental in helping women's committees throughout
Samoa; and others such as PPSEAWA, Mapusaga o Aiga, and Soroptimists all have
their special focus and have contributed greatly. Women's Fellowships in
different church denominations have ensured the spiritual side is covered -
malo lava. I know there are many more groups and my apologies that I have not
had the chance to identify them given the short notice (one and a half days) to
prepare this paper. But I am certain these would include groups of women
in:
Health especially reproductive health, Sports, Media, Law and the
legal profession, Politics, Science and technology, Work or paid employment,
and many more.
It is my view however, that whatever the focus of each
group, being here today is a significant milestone in itself. Always the
optimist, I look at events for a positive impact. I therefore see our gathering
today as a wonderful opportunity. Just as we have come together in celebration,
I suggest that we take this gathering as the beginning of an era of WORKING
TOGETHER (GALULUE FAATASI) for the enhancement of the lives of women and
families of Samoa. Let us collaborate and cooperate for the common objective of
further improving our society.
Thank you for your
attention.
Soifua.
Leatuaolevao Ruby Vaa
8 March 2002 |
|
