Villages launch Bylaws to combat Family Violence

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 15 DECEMBER 2021: Five villages have launched their bylaws – I’ugafono that contain specific laws in their village that addresses family violence against women and girls.

The bylaws supports these villages commitment to equality, peace, justice, freedom, and protection of human dignity in their villages.

The villages are Lalovi, Mulifanua and Vaie’e in Upolu; Taga, Asau and Salei’a in Savaii and their bylaws were launched by the Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa in a ceremony last Friday to conclude the 16 days of activism commemorated in Samoa.

“These documents contain bylaws that highlight their commitment to zero tolerance towards family violence within their villages,” said the Prime Minister.

“Such commitment recognizes the pivotal role of our village leaders in family violence prevention and the protection of women and girls at the village level.”

The bylaws will be launched in Savaii today for the villages who participated in the Village Family Safety Committee Pilot Project spearheaded by the Ombudsman’s office to address the escalating incidence of domestic violence against women and girls.

In 2019, the Office of the Ombudsman led a National Inquiry into Family Violence which introduced the Village Family Safety Committee Pilot Project which five villages participated.

Prime Minister lights a Torch of Hope to officially open the 1st National Biennial Dialogue on human rights and good governance.

As a result of this project, the six villages established Village Family Safety Committees.

These committees review and put together their bylaws to address family violence and ensure the bylaws are in line with the existing national laws.

While Samoa commemorated the 16 days of activism to end violence against women and children, a 34-year-old man was taken into police custody for allegedly causing the death of his pregnant wife and an unborn child.

The victim, a young mother of five, was found dead at her husband’s family compound at Vailoa, Faleata with stab wounds on her back and face badly bruised.

In launching the bylaws, the Prime Minister commended the chiefs and orators of these villages for leading the path in search for an end to an escalating plague of family based violence against women, girls and children.

In sending a message of hope, the Prime Minister lit a Torch of Hope to officially open the 1st National Biennial Dialogue on human rights and good governance.