Young Samoan woman receives Queen Elizabeth Award

Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 15 MARCH 2022: Samoa’s young woman influencer is the recipient of Queen Elizabeth’s Points of Light Award presented at the celebration of the Commonwealth Day yesterday.

Fusi Masina Tietie is the owner of “Her Voice”- an online blog intended to encourage and empower young females of their rights and roles through the works of art, photography and telling untold stories of young women.

This came one week after Samoa celebrated the rights of women through the Women’s International Day under the theme “Stop the biasness” where Fiame Naomi Mataafa was acknowledged as an inspiration in her journey as Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister.

Ms. Tietie’s work tackles one of the most alarming issues in the country and globe, Gender based violence which hits 46% of the women population in Samoa.

One of the most inspirational stories she ever told is the story of a 16-year-old Finaui Fanaui Faavae currently under supervision of the Samoa Victim Support Group who was a victim of abuse.

Tietie also promotes creative musical and artistic talents of young Samoans.

Through “Her Voice” blog, Ms. Tietie’s goal is to encourage and convince young women to speak up for themselves as her blog now has close to three thousand followers and admirers.