Samoan women come out of the kitchen, into politics

APIA - If election candidate numbers speak for something it is that Samoan women are no longer taking the back seat when it comes to politics.

This year marks the record number of women ever to run for Samoan Parliament, and all 18 of them represent a new era in Samoan politics.

"We have a unique voice and perspective and we need to be heard," says leader of the Christian Party, Tuala Falenaoti Tiresa Malietoa.

"Our place is no longer in the kitchen alone, things are not going as well as we want in this country, we need to make a contribution to the improvement and further development of our nation."

Women's sudden visible interest in politics - although welcoming to some - is a matter of debate among elder men and women in Samoa.

During radio and television talkback shows last week, many reasons were expressed on why women should not be sitting in Parliament.

Traditional roles were reinforced. One woman said: "It is not our place to be in Parliament, women should return home and take care of their children and serve their husbands."

A male radio talkback contributor said: "Women have no right to be in Parliament, you are a woman, that is not your role, go back to the kitchen."

Others said female candidates were dishonouring their traditional role as the supporter of the family by trying to be in Parliament.

But despite these strong opinions, Samoan women's interest in Parliament has increased. Since independence in 1962, a total of 29 women have run for Parliament.

There have been 13 female MPs since independence, three of which were elected in the last election.

Fiame Naomi Mataafa is the first and only woman to become a Cabinet Minister; she is also chairwoman of Inailau Women's Leadership Network - a group of women who campaign for more women in decision-making positions.

Last year the network organised the inaugural Young Woman's Parliament in Samoa to discuss a motion to increase the number of women in Parliament by 30 per cent.

A participant at the session, Danira Westurlund, said: "Women should not be voted for just because they are women, we should be in Parliament because we are capable, because we have the knowledge and skills to be in there.

The 18 women running for this year's election are teachers, lawyers, nurses and most are businesswomen, matais and mothers.

The Human Rights Protection Party and the Samoa Democratic United Party have five women candidates each.

Three are running for the Christian Party, two represent the Samoa Party, and two run as Independents.

According to an old Samoan proverb "E au le inailau a tamaitai", women are great achievers.

Malietoa says: "It is only fair that we as Samoan women live up to this old Samoan proverb because we are and we can be great achievers."