Three new women members of Parliament required under Article 44(1) of the Constitution were sworn in by the Speaker, Papalii Ta’eu Masipa’u this morning.
The three women, Aliimalemanu Alofa Tu’u’au, Fa’agaseali’i Sapoa Feagia’I, and To’omata Norah Leota, were sworn in after the Supreme Court of Samoa directed the Speaker of the House to swear-in the women candidates under the Constitutional guarantee that women would always hold at least 10% of Parliamentary seats in Samoa.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa spoke after the swearing in ceremony, to congratulate and welcome the new women MPs into Parliament.
Deputy Opposition Leader Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo replied and also offered good wishes to the women members, two of whom are opposition Human Rights Protection Party members.
To’omata Norah Leota is a Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi member.
This brings to seven the number of women MPs in the 17th Parliament.
Meanwhile, the country’s first ever woman Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o, told a weekly program on EFKSTV2 television station that she did not agree with the way the women are entering Parliament through the Constitutional requirement.
“I support having additional women Members of Parliament, and speaking as a woman, I believe it is important for women to have their voice heard in Parliament but I question the 10%,” said Mulipola.
Samoa Global News online service reports the Minister of Finance said, it seemed that the 10% was something the United Nations had influenced, and Samoa did not need to be told by outside influences.
“It looks like the UN pushed this 10%, but remember, Samoa doesn’t need to take directions from outside… there is depth of wisdom and vision amongst Samoans, even Village Councils, to advise and navigate their own paths.”
Mulipola said that from her perspective as Minister of Finance, there are many women in positions of leadership in Samoa, and this is something she is proud to see in Government as well as the private sector.
Photos: Parliament of Samoa
