Father Mauola Leilua, Minister for Women, Community, and Social Development, Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o, Honourable Cabinet Ministers and Associate Ministers, The Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Emily Luck and other Members of the Diplomatic Corp, representatives of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, my dear colleagues from the United Nations, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.
I am deeply honoured to stand before you today, representing the United Nations system, as we mark the official launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in Samoa. My sincere gratitude goes to you, Honourable Minister and your staff at the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development for leading this important campaign.
Globally, violence against women and girls remains a pervasive human rights violation, with a staggering 736 million women – almost one in three – having experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence. In Samoa, available statistics, reveal that 37.5 per cent of women have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence, or both, by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Nine out of 10 children in Samoa experience severe forms of punishment at home. These statistics must serve as a compelling call to action.
