Govt signs $500k direct assistance to fight violence against women and girls

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 02 APRIL 2022: The Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo today signed the Government’s first ever direct assistance to the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) in support of its ongoing efforts and programs in the fight to eliminate violence against women, girls and children.

The $500,000 grant will assist SVSG’s work in addressing a growing social problem in Samoa with approximately 46% of women have reported to have been in a relationship where they experienced some form of abuse by their partner which includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

“This figure is concerning and the Government therefore acknowledges the significant contribution that the SVSG have made to this fight over the course of the past two decades,” said the Minister in today’s signing ceremony with SVSG represented by the Chairperson Georgina Lui.

Under the Funding Agreement, the funds to be disbursed to support current efforts of the SVSG that include:

1. Counselling for victims and offenders;

2. Advocacy programs within the communities and across the country to reduce the incidence of abuse;

3. Support for food and medical supplies at all SVSG shelters;

4. Support to raise economic conditions of families of victims of abuse to address welfare that include the Nofotane Program and others;

5. Awareness programs that will cover colleges;

6. Support programs to assist child vendors;

7. Administration assistance to the SVSG to support the implementation of the stated efforts.

The funding assistance is in line with the Government’s vision in the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021/22 – 2025/26 of “Fostering Social Harmony, Safety and Freedom for All” by addressing both directly and indirectly the Key Strategic Outcome 1 of Improved Social Development with specific focus on the protection and well-being of children, women, survivors of domestic violence and those considered as most vulnerable.

“I have no doubt SVSG will continue to improve its organization to deliver results as expected. I thank you for the years of hard work, commitment and dedication taken by the President, the Board, Management and all the employees of the SVSG and their volunteers and associates,” said the Minister of Finance.

“Thank you to all our development partners that are assisting Samoa in our fight to end violence against women and children.”

For years, the Government has supported various programs and efforts through the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and the wider community through the churches, village councils and community groups to eliminate domestic violence against women and girls.