United Nations Statement on Violence Against Women and Girls, Samoa, 2021
“I appealed for an end to violence everywhere, now. But violence is not confined to the
battlefield. For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest. In
their own homes.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
The United Nations calls on Samoa to uphold its commitment to ending all forms of violence
against women and girls, including violent threats, intimidation, verbal and physical
harassment and abuse and stands ready to support all actors in their efforts to achieve this
goal.
Any form of discrimination including offensive and defamatory language affecting women is
unacceptable and incompatible with Samoa’s commitment to the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the human rights
agenda which will be assessed later this year through the Human Rights Council’s universal
periodic review.
The Secretary-General has urged all governments to make the prevention and redress of
violence against women and girls a key part of their national priorities through commitments
such as the CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action. Samoa has made significant
progress in advancing the full and effective implementation of those international
instruments, articulating its resolve to fulfil, protect and respect women’s human rights.
Nearly 20 years after its first pledge, Samoa must sustain progress by upholding democratic
values such as gender equality and women’s unrestricted participation in the country’s
public and political life.
Violence against women and girls is pervasive. Globally, 1 in 3 women experience some form
of violence in their lifetime, whereas in the Pacific, that number increase to 2 out of 3. It is a
product of unequal gender power relations and discrimination against women and girls,
which is exacerbated by disasters and humanitarian crises, poverty and economic stress.
COVID 19 has seen an increase in stress due to restrictions in movement and the related
economic hardship.
The United Nations stands with all women of Samoa and remains committed to ensuring
women feel safe in addressing gender-based violence and voicing their concerns when
threatening and aggressive language is used.
Equal and cohesive societies are a prerequisite for peace and a fundamental goal of the
United Nations.