National Council of Women Celebrates 68th Anniversary

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA -17 DECEMBER 2021: Members of one of the oldest organisations in Samoa, the Samoa National Council of Women (SNCW) came together to celebrate its 68^th anniversary at the Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

The organization has been the backbone and engine for development within villages and districts by women before and after independence especially in health with the Komiti Tumama. This was until the Government created the Ministry of Women Community & Social Development (MWCSD) and there was concern about the duplication of their roles.

After 68 years, Prime Minister and President of SNCW, Fiame Naomi Mataafa challenged Council members with 3 questions:

• What is the meaning of the Samoa National Council of Women?
• What is its purpose and significant role?
• What is its strategy plan to continue and what is the way forward for them?

The Ministry has different programs from SNCW, she said.

In celebrating their milestone, SNCW conducted a forum on the Inter Sectional Advocacy to End Violence Against Women & Girls where they invited guests speakers from five villages.

There were also speakers from the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG), Nuanua o le Alofa (NOLA), Samoa Faafafine Association, Spotlight Initiative and the Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration.

History of the Council
SNCW was established in 1953 and legally registered as an organization in 1964.

The foundation was based on two factors; one was to help build a nation and two was to look at the health and social development within villages and districts.

In the forefront of establishment were the late wives of the Tama Aiga and the wife of the then New Zealand Governor to Samoa.

The structure of the organization was based on districts and Fiamē said all districts back then were represented or members of the SNCW. It was then the Komiti Tumama was born which was very effective in the area of health and later used to deliver other government services in the outlying districts.

In 1968, the organization christened its head office, the Maota o le Alofa at Matafele where it continues to serve various businesses and organizations to date.

SNWC Savaii members giving the big cheers.

Political implications
As of to date, only 16 districts are members of SNCW. But some of the districts recently pulled out after the general election in April 2021.

“Our discussion since last week was to revisit our Constitution and the question raised then was whether a change of Government warrants a change to our (SNCW) Constitution when it comes to memberships,” said Fiamē. This became apparent as it is the first time the SNCW President is also the Prime Minister.

The discussion continues this week.

Moving forward
The importance of celebrating a milestone anniversary gives us a chance to think and ponder over our journey in the past 68 years, said Fiamē.

Whilst the organization has so many achievements in developing areas within villages and districts in health, education and deliberating issues such as ending violence against women, the question remains after 68 years; what is the significant or value of SNCW and should it continue as an organization?

Fiamē said the value of the organization’s work is evident in the outcome of village projects and programs especially on health, education, hygiene and others.

Our focus now is to either renovate or demolish the 53 year old Maota o le Alofa building and build a new one.

Over the years, the building has hosted many Government & private functions and several businesses are tenants there.

Maota o le Alofa on Beach Road is nestled between the BSP and National Banks and behind the Samoa Pharmacy.

Ownership of land where Maota o le Alofa is located
There are differences over the ownership of the land where SNCW’s head office is built on. The former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the land should be returned to the Ministry of Women as it is the property of Government.

“We are not Government and the land we built on was gifted by the Catholic Church to us,” said Fiamē.

She clarified that people seem to think that everything is owned or are under the Government authority.

“No, the land is the asset of the Council and the Government did assist with building of the Maota o le Alofa,” Fiamē explained.

After 68 years, the most significant physical achievement of the organization is the Maota o le Alofa and its central location.

There songs recorded during the official opening of Maota o le Aofa, do recount the Council’s appreciation to the Catholic Monsignor who gifted the Land in 1968.

“I don’t think there is any other organization with a building in a prime location such as ours,” Fiamē said.

International affiliations
The SNCW is an affiliated member of the International Women Council (IWC) and their priority is basically to the development of women programs within districts.

During the celebration, there was a minute of silence to remember all those who have shared and contributed to the Samoa National Council of Women.