Martha Taumata Faavae
Women representation in Parliament should be more than the current allocation of ten percent of the total number of Members of Parliament.
This is the call by members of the Young Women Christian Association, YWCA.
The YWCA members’ attention was drawn to the issue as a result of the court case over the number of women members which should be in Parliament after the general elections held this year.
There was an issue over translating the 10 percent of 51 into actual numbers. Some said it was 5 and the others said 6.
At first the court ruled 5 and when it was taken to the Court of Appeal it was finalised that the actual number should be 6.
While awaiting the Court of Appeal ‘s decision the women of Samoa organised a march calling for the most favourable number which is 6.
The Director of the YWCA Taimalelagi Ramona Tugaga told Newsline they took part in the march to show their support for women issues especially this was a national issue and there is strength in numbers.
“ It is important that more women take part. For us this is a great opportunity to show our feelings on issues regarding women especially this is a national issue,” Taimalelagi said.
“ It would not be in line for us if we did not support women issues -something that we teach.”
“ Moreover, the more women taking part the stronger the voice of the women.”
Taimalelagi is happy with the answer given by the court that there should be 6 women Members of Parliament.
However others are pushing for more than ten percent.
For 22 year old Kuinileti Lafitaga Kolia of Vailele, she is of the view that the current allocation is discriminatory against women and she could not fathom the reason behind this.
She believes that the more women in Parliament the better because they are capable.
“ It is important that the number of seats for women should increase and if it is not done then that would be seen as discriminatory. I say that because women have the ability to do anything,” Kolia offered.
Both young women also told Newsline that they were appalled by the remarks of the FAST member Laauli Leuatea Polataivao.
These remarks against the women Taimalelagi said were uttered on television and heard by many.
“ This should not have happened at all,” she said.
“ A good leader would not express these remarks. It’s sad that these remarks were made by a person of high standing.
“We would like a leader who is genuinely concern and has love for our country and adhere to the constitution and expresses Christian qualities.”
“ Laauli was rude and arrogant,” Kolia added.
Kolia added that she would like a leader who understands the needs of the people and places importance on women issues and serves from the heart.
Another YWCA member Senia Auva’a called for a public apology from La’auli.
“ I think La’auli should apologise to the country and in particular women,” Auva’a stated.
“ We are really hurt by his remarks. They demean us women. I would not support leaders who utter these kind of degrading remarks.”
The young women who are following the political events in the country have come to a conclusion that holding another general election would be the only way to bring peace to the country and end the political turmoil the country is currently experiencing.