American Samoa Alliance against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Tusitala

This project was supported by annual awards by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S., Department of Justice, and by Family Violence Prevention and Services.  The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice, and Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.
  • Home
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Monthly articles
    • COVID-19 Manuscript
    • COVID-19 PSA
  • Domestic & Sexual Violence
    • Community Outreach >
      • Training Resources
    • Tusitala - Monthly Articles
    • Public Service Announcement Videos
    • RESOURCES
  • Find Help
  • Who We Are
  • Contact
  • Happenings
    • Positions Available
    • Internship Application
    • Malaga Mo Sulufaiga Travel Assistance Program

3/5/2021

Intersections of Gender Equality, Domestic and Sexual Violence & Impact to Change in American Samoa

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
written by Jennifer Tofaeono, Executive Director
There are certain roles placed on gender, (i.e. male, female, youth, etc), roles that are supported by gender norms that are found within the Samoan community. 

 
As Samoans we tend to be patriarchal, often expressed in our family structure. It is the woman’s job to maintain the home and are primary caretaker of the children, whereas men are the primary income providers. The men are key decision makers in the home, and many family Matai’s are men.  A Matai is chosen based on loyalty and service to the aiga. He is responsible for the well-being of each member of the aiga. 
 
These differences in roles and behaviors can create complex inequalities. It can create empowerment and disadvantages between genders. In patriarchal societies, similar to Samoan’s women can be seen as insubordinate to men, placing them in lower social status (i.e. most villages only allow for men to serve as Matai’s), allowing men control over women. When there are inequalities in gender it increases the acts of violence by men against women. Societies that support the notion men have a right to control women and girls create vulnerability to physical, emotional, and sexual violence by men. 
 
Domestic and sexual violence is any behavior whereby the purpose is to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend, or intimate family member. Abuse is a learned behavior, and it is not caused by anger, mental problems, drugs or alcohol or other common excuses. The violence is supported by power and control defined by gender roles.
Other signs of gender issues are the low levels of women politically represented, although some may say there is an increase of women in Director’s positions within the American Samoa Government, in the aiga setting, they are underrepresented as decision makers.
 
The move to change gender inequality in American Samoa is slow. Gender attitudes and behaviors in our community is deeply rooted. During the next month, the Alliance will host a Webinar to promote education regarding gender equality and inequities.  There will be two sessions, one in English and one in Samoan date to be announced. We have developed Public Service Announcements (PSA), which portray two young Samoan men talking about gender roles, please visit our website at: as alliance.co. Follow our Facebook page as increase awareness and education regarding gender equality, and interventions to change violence against women and how to prevent it. For more information, please contact the Alliance via email at: asadsv@gmail.com, or contact Judy Matautia at 699-0272, or email: judym.asadsv@gmail.com

Share

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

Details

    Author

    Articles written by ASDVSA staff and partners

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

    Categories

    All

Location

What Our Clients Are Saying

What people are saying about the Alliance: 
​

Contact Us

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • Home
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Monthly articles
    • COVID-19 Manuscript
    • COVID-19 PSA
  • Domestic & Sexual Violence
    • Community Outreach >
      • Training Resources
    • Tusitala - Monthly Articles
    • Public Service Announcement Videos
    • RESOURCES
  • Find Help
  • Who We Are
  • Contact
  • Happenings
    • Positions Available
    • Internship Application
    • Malaga Mo Sulufaiga Travel Assistance Program