A female Member of Parliament in Samoa believes the chiefs and orators in village councils around the country have all the power necessary to put a stop to domestic violence.
Fa’aulusau Rosa Stowers, member for Gagaifomauga in Savai’i told Newsline Samoa the village councils have the authority to regulate by laws in the villages, and can be the most effective response to domestic violence.
“If traditional councils are effective in their regulatory role to police serious offences in the villages, why not extend this same authority of punishment to those who commit violence against our women and children,” said the member of Parliament’s powerful Finance Committee.
Her concerns have been voiced in the wake of the damning report from the National Inquiry into Violence Against Women and Girls.
Each of the 50 members of Parliament were presented with a copy of the report.
“As matais and Members of Parliament we have that advantage to sit in any village council and help influence the decision making process to protect the people in the communities,” she said.
The lack of active advocacies in rural areas like her Gagaifomauga No 3 constituency is an area she felt was crucial to raise awareness in order to face the problem.
“Where I am actively involved the authority of the ‘ali’i and faipule’ is very effective. The fines that are handed down for violation is dreaded because it becomes a collective burden on the whole family.”
The first time parliamentarian says councils should also focus on the ‘aumaga’ or the untitled men in the village who are seen as the main perpetrators of domestic violence.
“I believe that if the ‘aumaga’ are well informed about committing violence against their wives, that is going to be a great thing.
