Samoa & Australia launch Gender Partnership Program

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA -17 JUNE 2022: The Governments of Australia and Samoa have launched the Samoa Gender Partnership Program, the first initiative under the new eight-year partnership between the two governments, Tautua – Human Development for All.

The Samoa Gender Partnership Program works closely with Civil Cociety and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development to enhance economic empowerment for women, reduce gender-based violence, and increase access to services for women experiencing violence.

Four civil society partners – the Samoa Victim Support Group, the Samoa Family Health Association, Samoa Women Association of Growers and the Women In Business Development Inc – have signed grant agreements as implementing partners under the Program.

The Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Leota Laki Lamositele, said COVID-19 has created challenges for everyone especially the more vulnerable population and it is in that context that the Government have committed to empowering communities through the Pathway for Development for Samoa which was launched early in the year.

“As we move forward and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important that we continue to leverage strong partnerships and drive community engagement. The Samoa Gender Partnership Program has an important role to play in the months ahead,” said Leota.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa HE Emily Luck touched on the importance of the partnership and ensuring vulnerable women and girls are not left behind.

“Australia is committed to working in partnership with Samoa to tackle some of the country’s most critical human development challenges. As Samoa continues to chart a course to recovery from the challenges of COVID, we know that women and girl’s status, their participation, their education, their safety will be a vital part of that recovery,” she said.

She also said the Samoa Gender Partnership Program is an important part of the Tautua Program’s work across the country.

Leota and Luck officiated at the launch of this first initiative under the Tautua – Human Development for All program yesterday.