Breakfast performance addresses domestic violence issues

Apia, 2 September 2014
The Minister of Education, Honourable Saili Patea joined in a breakfast meeting against domestic violence, at the Tanoa Hotel this morning. It was co-hosted by the British High Commission from Wellington, New Zealand and the British Honorary Consulate in Samoa.

The meeting was to introduce and bring to Samoa and SIDS the "Stages of Change Project" funded by British High Commission in New Zealand. This project runs in the Solomon Islands.

It consists of Solomon Islands Women dancing and performing in theatre as a way of addressing domestic violence issues. The project has been hugely successful in the Solomon Islands. It is found to be an effective way of bringing out into the open the issues of domestic violence; it also helps pushing for change to combat domestic violence within our communities. Domestic violence and sexual abuse on our women and children is prevalence in SIDS countries -  this is not acceptable.  We need to combat domestic violence on women and children as they are our future.

The positive impacts of this project has led to the Solomon Islands Government to pass a Bill to protect victims of domestic violence. The Government of Samoa was also congratulated for taking the issues of domestic violence and women seriously, through its recent legislation changes and institutional strengthening and human right.

The group of women from the Stages of Change Project performed movingly and the Minister was greatly touched and inspired by the performance. She and agreed that this project is indeed a powerful way of addressing domestic violence in the our region, and is keen to explore taking this project to Tokelau.
 
A large crowd attended the breakfast this morning. This indicates the seriousness of domestic violence issues and the need to push for positive changes. Improve the quality of life of our women and children is essential, as they represent our future.
Womenofchange3Sep14-300
Performers of the "Stages of Change Project" today.

Consul&MinEd2Sep14-300
Tokelau Minister of Education Saili Patea with the British Consul in Samoa, Brenda Latu.