By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
A surprisingly large crowd of well over a thousand people, predominantly women, projected a rare and memorable scene of flickering candle lights in the settling nightfall at Tiafau Malae on Monday 12 July 2021.
The resounding message behind the mixed emotions of serious concern and lighthearted moments by everyone was the rights of women to be protected from abuse – mental and physical.
Women’s rights advocators organized the candlelight evening rally.
Prominent advocator for a growing national women in leadership movement, Gatoloai Ms. Tilianamua Afamasaga was one of the invited key speakers of the evening.
Gatoloai spoke eloquently of the sacred cultural regard for the womenfolks and the respect and protection they are accorded by the men as sisters, mothers and advisors in the family and village.
She highlighted the successes women have created everywhere in the world by quoting from several prominent leaders including the former UN General Secretary, Ban Ki-Moon.
“Countries where there is gender balance enjoy high economic success, with rapid growth in business developments and higher returns, where women undertake executive roles,” Gatoloai quoted.
“Agreements of peace where women are involved have not only endured but are firm and manageable for everyone.”
Gatoloai stepped up the praise at the level of achievement within the reach of women by bringing the unmatched feats of Samoa’s warrior heroine Nafanua of Falealupo.
Her story is a legend that is deeply entrenched in the history of Samoa and a legacy that lives on to this day with Christianity.
The inspirational message by Gatoloai went a long way to heal the offended candlelight waving crowd.
Offensive comments and vile insinuations by the FAST political party chairman La’auli Polataivao Schmidt about bringing women to the Tiafau Malae for the men to deal with as they please created public outrage.
Gatoloai reacted publicly to the abusive comments by calling it disgusting when she became aware of it.
But despite her convictions and a strong resolve to speak out in defense of women’ rights and leadership potentials as one of the key speaker on Monday night she was very nervous at having to front up to the crowd.
“I had to pray fast to help build up courage to go through with the challenge.”
When it all ended, Gatoloai found the moment one to treasure as deeply rewarding with the inspiration of the many promising reactiosn from the women she met afterwards..
“There were many moments for me and seeing those elderly, gray haired ladies walk onto the ‘malae’ was heartfelt .
“This age group is normally not easily convinced, it takes a lot of explaining and assurances to get them up and going, and I was touched to see them take part.”
Gatoloai was aware of the ‘political nuances’ with critics of the event brushing it off as politically motivated to favour the HRPP party against FAST in the ongoing party standoff.
There was, however, a different and very satisfying truth for Gatoloai from the enjoyable interaction she had with many of the women after the formalities.
“ I was very apprehensive at first when I made my way to Mulinu’u, unsure of what to expect with all the conflicting reactions from both political camps.
“The crowd reaction was not what I had expected after thinking pro-FAST women were unlikely to attend, and in some cases they were quite encouraging.
“ I came across several women who admitted they voted for FAST candidates but to them this was a women’s issue they felt strongly about and were reacting to it.”
Gatoloai was heartened by the comments and how it showed that the issue for these women were concerned had nothing to do with politics.
Her reservations about a ‘man-bashing’ lash out from the women were allayed. Credited was given to the assuring tone from the two male speakers before her, Minister of Women Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama and Rev. Utufua Naseri.
The women in leadership advocator acknowledge the Ministry of Women involvement in organising the Tiafau Malae programme.
She felt that the Ministry is the leading influence for women’s rights in Samoa and it is only fitting that they took up an organising role in the rally..
The long march of white dressed women started from infront of the Government Building in Apia, watched closely by the working population in town at the end of the working day.
Among the town watchers was the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who fully supported the women as the moving line of marches streamed out to the Mulinu’u Peninsula.
“The show of concern at the comments by La’auli was obvious but it was how they marched in peace that was a heartwarming first impression for me,” PM Tuilaepa said on national radio.
“Good to see this happening for Samoa and the image it portrays at the international level, especially with the widely reported abusive comments made against the women and the poor image it reflects about how we treat our womenfolks.”
He hoped his political rival Fiame shared the same feelings about the rights of the women including even Laauli.
The reassuring image of gender equality and responsibility from the Monday candlelight march was celebrated as a triumph for women in of Samoa that flickered far and wide to the watching international world community.