SVSG and UN Trust Fund Resume Awareness to End Domestic Violence

Apia, SAMOA – 20 July 2026 – The Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG), in partnership with the United Nations Trust Fund has resumed its Community Awareness Programme to End Violence Against Women.

The programme recommenced in the Constituency of Falealili 1, bringing together the villages of Tafatafa, Malaemalu, and Matautu for the second of a three-day community awareness and empowerment programme aimed at preventing violence against women and children while strengthening family and community wellbeing.

The programme was paused temporarily to allow communities throughout Samoa to participate in the annual conferences of the major Christian denominations and the country’s Independence celebrations in June. With these significant national and church events now concluded, SVSG is now continuing its partnership with communities across Samoa.

Monday’s programme delivered the core awareness sessions jointly developed by the UN Trust Fund and SVSG, covering gender-based violence prevention, child protection, available support services, and the important role every individual, family, village, and institution plays in creating safe and violence-free communities.

Then it will feature presentations from the Samoa Police Service, the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA), and the SVSG Law Centre, providing participants with practical information on legal rights, protection orders, reporting mechanisms, and access to justice.

The programme will conclude on the third day with SVSG’s Nofotane Women’s Empowerment Programme, which focuses on economic empowerment, financial resilience, and practical livelihood opportunities that help women build independent and secure futures.

SVSG President, Muliagatele Siliniu Lina Chang, welcomed the resumption of the programme, emphasizing the importance of continuing community engagement.

“While we paused our activities to respect the important church conferences and Independence celebrations, the need to protect women, children and vulnerable families never stops,” said the President.

“We are grateful to return to our communities and continue working hand in hand with our villages, government partners and the UN Trust Fund to promote awareness, strengthen prevention efforts, and empower our people to become champions against violence.”

She added that sustainable change begins within communities.

“Real change happens when families, churches, village councils, women, youth and government agencies come together with one shared vision—to ensure every woman and every child can live in safety, dignity and peace.”

SVSG extends its heartfelt appreciation to the villages of Tafatafa, Malaemalu, and Matautu, their village councils, church leaders, women’s committees, untitled men, youth groups, Fono Faavae and all community members for their warm hospitality, enthusiastic participation, and commitment to creating stronger and safer communities.

This programme forms part of the nationwide Community Awareness Programme funded by the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, reinforcing Samoa’s collective commitment to ending violence against women and girls through education, prevention, community leadership, and empowerment.