Does Samoa need more women matai?

Written by Cherelle Jackson

Is it because men matais are making a fine mess of things?

Six pretty brave members of the Samoan community are debating on the issue: Samoa needs more women matais, today at the SamoaTel conference room.
So does Samoa need more women matais?
How about this, some men matais are making a grand mess of things, maybe we do need more women matais.
As a woman of course my answer would be yes.
When it comes to issues of gender, this writer will gladly flag objectivity for the right to speak freely on issues of our side, so to speak.
The only other Editorial writers in this country are all male, which leaves this lone writer to defend with a fierce pride the rights of women in this country.
The Samoan culture is not exactly kind to the rights of women, if anything women are second best, second part, behind part and all else second when it comes to the great Fa’aSamoa, without seeming critical however of our culture, there are reasons for such obvious discriminatory cultural norms.
But unfortunate for the terms faletua and itupa vaivai this is the day and age of equality, and placing one in the back room due to gender, is no longer the ways of the world.

Equality and Culture
The culture has consistently placed women in the lower face value as men, as a result some villages have banned women from assuming matai titles.
The ban itself is discrimination at the highest level, why just because someone was born with breasts does not make them any less than one born with a muscular chest.
Judgement based on such factors are shallow and reflect poorly on the men who make and adhere to such decisions.
Whatever happened to merit and judgement based on intelligence?
Currently there are registered 12031 male matais and 3016 female matais who are noted as ‘Active Matai’ according to the most recent Census survey.
That is a tremendous difference, the number itself indicates a wide gap that needs a bit more than the average gender filling.

Access to Leadership
Arguing for the rights of women to hold matai titles, is not just an argument on equality, yes of course its nice, but the underlying issue is the accessibility of women to leadership roles that can only be afforded with a matai title.
If a full blood Samoa woman who lives in a village that prohibits women matais, aspires to be a member of Parliament, she may as well invest in a sex change, because unless the village changes the rules, which is near impossible, and unless Samoa somehow revisits the prerequisites for Parliamentary entry, which if recent slow changes speak for anything is also impossible, then the woman will never stand a chance of becoming a Member of Parliament or a Cabinet Minister.
Currently the three women Cabinet Ministers are living proof that women can be leaders and darn good ones at that.
Hon. Safuneituuga Paaga Neri, Hon. Gatoloaifaana Amataga Gidlow and Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa thank you for being testament to the strength of women as leaders.

The vital role
Women play a vital role in our society, said to be the peace makers, women tend to be that voice of reason, voice of peace when it comes to family affairs, village affairs and sometimes on the national scale.
But do not be fooled, only the right women do, no gender is perfect and ours will attest to that.
But here’s the deal, if men have full access to becoming matais, to becoming Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Leaders, then shouldn’t women have the same chances too?
Was not the first person who held four Paramount titles combined a woman?
Salamasina would probably turn in her grave and rip her beautiful hair if she knew that some centuries down the line her people were denying those of her gender access to matai titles.
But of course due respect goes to her grandmother Sooaemalelagi who was the true power behind the reign of Salamasina.
The truth remains, womens rights to leadership, education and health services should not be hindered by the fact that they are women!

International Womens Day
Today Samoa will celebrate International Womens Day, although it is marked on the 8th a group of local women have decided to honour it with the rest of the world today, on the 7th.
According to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) International Women’s Day (8 March) is an occasion to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.
It is a day when people are encouraged to recognise that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms requires the active participation, equality and development of women.
It is also an occasion to review progress in women’s development as well as an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change.

Today
So today, wherever you are whoever you are and whatever gender you are, think about the women in your lives, the mothers, sisters, daughters, aunties and friends and how they have contributed to your life.
Have a great International Womens Day Samoa!

Manuia le Aso